Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I wish to clarify the Order of Business. I said that the statements regarding the Morris tribunal reports would commence on the conclusion of the Order of Business and would adjourn not later than 1.40 p.m. I should have said that they would conclude not later than 1.40 p.m.

Senators Cummins, O'Toole, Alex White, Coghlan, Bradford, Regan, Healy Eames, Boyle, John Paul Phelan and O'Reilly expressed various views and concerns regarding education. As I pointed out yesterday, there is an increase of 3.2%, or €302 million, in the education budget in these difficult economic times and the Government must be commended on that. They are the facts. There are now more than 30,000 primary teachers throughout the country. Since 2002, in excess of 6,500 more teachers have been on the Department's payroll. The Government is investing €586 million in the capital programme this year, which must be spent by the end of this year. That will deliver a record 1,200 new school places. Furthermore, the allocation of €889 million for 2009 is an increase of €80 million on the allocation for 2008. These facts must be stated to put everything in its proper context. I have no difficulty in having further time allocated for a debate on education. There was a debate on education last night.