Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Senator Brian Hayes made some serious points with which I agree.

The issue raised yesterday by Senator Minihan regarding the leaving certificate mathematics paper is a good example of how change should not be managed. It is clear, given the concerns raised by third level institutions, that the mathematics paper requires change. However, permitting pupils and students to walk into an examination only to find a completely reorganised and reformatted paper, with a completely new approach is the incorrect way to manage change. This issue has created trauma for pupils, is unfair to teachers and creates worry for parents. Although the Minister would state that this is a question for the State Examinations Commission, I ask the Leader to raise it with her. There is political responsibility in this regard and change should not be managed in this fashion. The House should be informed as to how this could be dealt with in future. If change is required, people must be aware that it will take place to be able to prepare for it and deal with it.

I wish to raise an issue concerning the Leader's own constituency. I can assure the House that had a bog fire taken place in County Wicklow, it would have taken over the national media for the past week. A serious and risky event occurred in County Longford last week, namely, a bog fire which ran riot for a number of days. It was extremely serious and necessitated the movement of livestock. Moreover, people were obliged to move from their houses, property was damaged and trees were cut to create firebreaks. I seek reassurances that this cannot happen again, as lives could be at risk.

Apparently, other locations handle such outbreaks better. My understanding is that in places such as Laois and Offaly, a fireman is assigned to each bog to ensure that bog fires are treated and dealt with at an early stage. However, the problem in the Longford area was caused by cutbacks, which meant that a similar approach was not taken and no defence mechanisms were in place. This is one of those issues in rural Ireland which is simply ignored by the establishment. It is a serious issue which could cost lives in future. I seek reassurances that it cannot happen anywhere in the boglands, which extend throughout the midlands.