Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, back to the House from where he started. I look forward with great interest to what he has to offer us. We hope it will be positive, productive, creative and satisfying, which I am sure will be the case.

I welcome the debate on the issues raised by Senator Ulick Burke. They are crucial. I am disappointed that my colleague and old friend, Senator Fitzgerald, refused to deal with the issues raised. They include the fact that 110,000 primary school children are in classes of 30 or more pupils and the other issues specifically outlined. The problem with the amendment to the motion is that it does not deal with any of those issues. I do not have a difficulty with many of the issues outlined in the amendment were that the case. If the Government dealt with all the issues presented, I could support many aspects of the amendment.

I commend some of the issues mentioned in the amendment. However, I met two principal teachers last night — I can give the Minister the names of the two schools of which they are the principals, and they are Fianna Fáil schools——