Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

On a serious issue, I found it somewhat coincidental that Senator Norris referred to Lord Denning's "appalling vista" remark in the week in which Richard McIlKenny, one of the Birmingham Six, died. I am sure Senators will join me in expressing sympathy to Dick McIlkenny's family. The "appalling vista" to which Lord Denning referred was the prospect of accepting the possibility that the West Midlands police force could have conspired to jail innocent people. As we are all aware, history proved otherwise. Before entering the House, I and others were involved in the search for justice for the Birmingham Six. When we consider how the world has moved on since, it seems a long time ago. The death of Mr. McIlkenny serves as a reminder to all those who took an interest in the Birmingham Six and other miscarriages of justice of that time, including that perpetrated against the Guildford Four. I ask that the Leader convey the sympathy of the House to Mr. McIlkenny's family.

As the former president of the INTO is present, I will choose my words carefully. I have been contacted by a number of parents regarding the INTO campaign to reduce class sizes by exerting pressure on the Minister for Education and Science. While I and the parents who have contacted me support the purpose of the campaign, as a parent of a ten year old child who earlier this week arrived home with a letter asking parents to support the initiative, I share the disquiet expressed by other parents that youngsters are being manipulated politically. I do not want my ten year old son to do anything other than enjoy his childhood.

Although the case being made by INTO is a good one, the problem in my local school is not one of class size but of one teacher teaching two classes comprising 36 pupils in one classroom. Addressing this issue is a greater priority than reducing class sizes. The numbers of pupils in many rural schools causes overcrowding because the buildings do not have sufficient capacity to have different classes taught in separate rooms. Surely the stress on teachers and students of having two classes taught by one teacher is unacceptable. In the wider context of the current INTO campaign I hope the Leader will initiate a debate on class sizes and the management of schools in general.