Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

If that is the case, there is something seriously wrong with the particular process concerning school buses. I live near an NCT centre where commercial goods vehicles are rigorously tested every day. If the smallest flaw is found they are returned to the garage for repairs. That is not the case with school buses, however. Anyone can see that school buses in rural areas need to be replaced for safety reasons. The report of the accident in County Meath clearly stated that the school bus in question on that terrible day was not roadworthy. That was not the only bus in such a state of disrepair. All necessary steps should be taken to resolve this matter. Will the Minister of State confirm the Taoiseach's statement earlier this week that an independent audit of the school bus fleet will be carried out, whether the vehicles are run privately or by Bus Éireann? That is the kernel of the matter which concerns parents of children using school buses. The Minister of State should confirm the Taoiseach's statement, which is what most people want to hear as an end result of this debate. She should have something to say about that.