Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

We discussed in the House last week the need for an all-party motion on Burma. I would like to hear what progress the Leader has made. All of us will have seen the television images of the death of the Japanese photographer and the ongoing struggle of the Burmese people. An all-party motion from this House would be important.

Does the Leader agree with comments made by the former Leader of this House, Senator Cassidy's constituency colleague, Deputy O'Rourke, when she said yesterday that she was quite astonished and astounded at the removal of the Minister and the Department of Health and Children from the day-to-day running of the health services, and that it was quite a morass? This comment echoes what was said on this side of the House yesterday about political accountability with regard to the health cutbacks. Yesterday I spoke about our public services and the need to manage them efficiently.

Today I want to talk about education. Many of my colleagues asked that the Minister for Education and Science attend the House and discuss a variety of issues. In particular I want to focus on the provision of schools at local level, particularly in the fast and growing communities around the country. The focus has been on primary schools but I see an ongoing problem in the provision of secondary schools, where there are bulges in primary school populations and the secondary schools are not in place. This issue needs attention. What initiative does the Minister plan to bring together the Department of Education and Science, the local authorities, the Office of Public Works, and the providers, particularly in light of the bishops' comments about their future role to the effect that they intend to play a lesser role? I would like the Minister to attend the House and outline the action she is taking to put that sort of planning in place. At a public meeting the other day, a woman asked me if there was any point in carrying out a census, and being aware of the figures, if no action is taken on planning. Many of the Members on this side of the House would welcome an opportunity to debate the issues with the Minister for Education and Science. I ask the Leader to invite her to the House to discuss this and the many issues my colleagues raised in recent days.