Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I join my colleagues in seeking a debate on education. As somebody who is on the board of trustees of over 100 voluntary schools, I am very concerned about the impact of cutbacks, particularly at second level. Many teachers have contacted me because they are worried about the impact of the budget on substitution and supervision arrangements. We talk about social capital and the importance of extra curricular activities in terms of giving students a rounded experience, but what will happen when teachers cannot get involved in sports, musicals and all the other very valuable things they do because it will not be possible to replace them during those hours? This needs to be considered and changed.

Last week, I asked the Leader for a debate on human embryonic stem cell research in light of UCC's controversial decision. I understand the Leader is proposing that, in the context of a wider debate on health, the Minister for Health and Children will deal with that matter, but that is not good enough. I point out to the Deputy Leader that whether we allow embryo-destructive research is, in the first instance, a matter of justice. It is for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to come into this House and to relegate the issue of embryo research to just one issue among many to be discussed——