Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

I commend the Fianna Fáil group on tabling this motion. The most important thing one can have in life is a good education. As previous speakers have said, education never stops. While formal education might stop, it does not mean one's ability or hunger to learn should stop. However, what will influence that is one's economic circumstances and intellectual capacities. The Minister of State has one of the most enviable jobs in the Government. He has the power to transform people's lives as a result of the strategies he adopts.

I listened to the Minister of State's contribution and noted his commitment to his task. The pleasure he gets from it is obvious, and the importance of that task cannot be over-estimated. It affects early school leavers as much as people for whom the conventional route through education was not available for whatever reason. Senator Quinn's contribution was very good, especially when discussing the reaction when one discovers there are still adults with literacy problems. The strategies of the Department being overseen by the Minister of State are committed to eliminating that experience and trying to encourage people, in a practical way, to get back into the education system. For that reason, the Minister of State has an enviable job. It is what politics should be about — the transformation of people's lives. The Minister of State is overseeing its most important aspect — the education system.

A characteristic of the Irish nation and what is believed to underpin our economic success is the high standard of education. One sees the disaster taking place in Zimbabwe but before matters deteriorated there, Robert Mugabe proudly boasted that he was educated by Irish people. We are unlikely to pat ourselves on the back about that now but at one time he was seen to be delivering something for his country when it gained its independence. Unfortunately, matters have gone a little awry since. Nevertheless, the Irish education system that was brought to Africa, largely through religious orders, delivered a strong education. It is something of which we can be rightly proud.

Senator Quinn also mentioned that an element of complacency might be setting in with the Government congratulating itself on the delivery of services. I do not entirely agree. When the Government has made achievements and there have been increases in the budgets, which are proven by the statistics, there is an entitlement to acknowledge that. However, that is not complacency. With our literacy levels we cannot afford to be complacent. As Senator Hannigan said, everybody deserves a chance in education. That is true for every child but we also cannot forget the people for whom the formal education system did not deliver or who were obliged to leave education. They, too, deserve a second chance and we must encourage them back into education in whatever way we can.

The Minister of State pointed out that his functions and responsibilities transcend two Departments, the Departments of Education and Science and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. That is most beneficial as it makes us examine our skills shortages. As Senator Hannigan said, we must ensure we are aware of the evolving needs of people and our economy in that regard. For that reason the issue of innovation and the amount of energy, time and focus we put on it in our education system is important. With that in mind, I must mention one of my pet projects, the Science Bus from DCU. I am glad to see the Minister of State is familiar with the scheme because the college is looking for money for it. I hope the Minister of State will bring it to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance.