Alex White (Labour)

Will the Leader arrange a debate on a decision made by the Minister for Education and Science earlier this week and communicated to the NCCA on changes she proposes to make in the Leader certificate reform programme which she is currently promoting? I am speaking in particular about the decision to delay the introduction of technology, technological methods and the teaching of leaving certificate subjects, including architectural technology, engineering technology and subjects in the arts syllabus.

We have had interesting debates in this House in recent months on the future of the economy. Most commentators would be in agreement that there will be reduced demand in all economies for unskilled labour and that the key objective for us must be to promote skills. It is a lamentable decision that at this stage of our development when we are examining what is the best way to develop our economy the Minister for Education and Science is slowing down or possibly even stopping the introduction of cutting edge technology in the teaching of these subjects. By contrast, in the UK the British Labour Government has launched a new programme of measures to facilitate, what Gordon Browne has called, "the unlocking of the potential of young people". That must be at the heart of our economic planning and future.

In public debates on what exactly governments can do in this regard, sometimes there is a question mark over their influence. It seems this is precisely the area where the Government, by progressive and enlightened thinking, can influence the future of this country and the future employment prospects of our young people. I strongly urge the Leader to arrange for a debate on these questions during which we could deal with a practical manifestation of policy to promote skills, the future of our economy and the future of our young people.