Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I would also welcome a discussion on that same matter. The Leader will recall that over recent years there has been much brouhaha and a great welcome for the education for persons with special educational needs legislation. The commitment was given by Government that this would be fully supported and provided for and that people with special learning needs would be looked after. This Act is now in place and the National Council for Special Educational Needs has been established. Last December this council presented the Minster with an outline of timelines and milestones for the implementation of the Act and it is appalling this has not been achieved. Section 13 of the Act provides the funding but I cannot find out what has been done. I do not know what is the level of training but I know that schools are having more trouble than ever before in accessing educational psychologists. The timelines are not being adhered to.

This initiative was welcomed on all sides of the House because it was believed money would be made available and no child would be left without support. This seems to be an old-fashioned vision without provision effort by the Minister if she cannot deliver. I ask that the House be fully informed whether there is a serious commitment from Government in the area of special education.

D'iarr mé ar an Cheannaire le déanaí díospóireacht ar cheist na Gaeilge. Chuir an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta polasaí ar bun agus níl se déanta ach oiread. In the past week the Minister has made a statement which I believe deserves a wider audience. It might help the people of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chuis to understand why he is difficult. He is the man who said during the week that the water in County Galway was all right in every way except that it was not drinkable. It is like saying we could all live on Mars but we would not be able to breathe the atmosphere. This man would be better off looking after his own constituency without bothering the people of west Kerry and changing the names of towns.