Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I do not object at all to the circulation of a well-written book, namely, Diarmuid Ferriter's book on de Valera. That is not the issue here. The issue is that it can and is being perceived as showing a lack of balance. This is important. I fought for many years to get more books into schools so I am not going to argue in this House against sending books to schools. If it is going to be done in this way, however, which is perceived to be possibly biased, we should also balance it in another way by sending the biography of Eoin O'Duffy to schools. I am not sure whether Fine Gael would feel as strongly about it as I would. I am looking at it in the interests of balance.

On a related issue, the cost to schools of water has been raised in the other House and other places. It was raised recently in the Lower House by the former leader of the Opposition in this House, Deputy Brian Hayes. The costs for primary and post-primary schools seem appalling. The books being sent out could be seen to promote Fianna Fáil.

The summer projects for schools is being ended, a matter raised by Senator Buttimer. The Cathaoirleach and I discussed this issue many years ago. When schools needed work done on the buildings they needed to complete a complex procedure. People decided that it would be better if this could be done locally. A new system was set up, where people would have to deal with all the bells and whistles and the different levels of quality. They could then manage it locally, with grants available. In order to do so, engineers' reports, architects' reports, builders' reports and various other reports were needed before the schools qualified for a grant. It worked very well and efficiently, giving quality, value, local involvement and volunteerism. The Minister has pulled the plug on the scheme.

Not only are schools losing out by not having projects completed but they are losing money. They spent the last year getting engineers' reports, architects' reports, builders' reports and various other reports in order to apply for the grant. This is counterproductive and does not save money. Schools will become run down, it will cost more next year and we must undergo the whole rigamarole again. I ask for the Minister to explain this to the House so that we can show her that this does not make economic sense, apart from the lack of education.