Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I have visited a couple of secondary schools in the past few days. I was disturbed to note that morale among the teaching profession is quite low. Teachers are concerned about the implications of the cuts which will affect secondary schools. I am aware of a number of schools that have sent notices to parents indicating they intend to withdraw extra-curricular activities like football, debating and games. It is a matter of extraordinary seriousness. It is well accepted that such activities are as essential, if not more so, to the education of young people as anything they may do academically. I was interested to discover that teachers are worried about missing out on extra-curricular interaction with youngsters. I ask the Leader to convey that to the Minister for Education and Science. If teachers get out of the habit of being involved in extra-curricular activity, they may not readily return to such activity. They may develop alternative lifestyles in future times.

This is a matter of extraordinary seriousness because the activities to which I refer can act as a bridge between teachers and students. They allow young students to escape their tension and stress. They give young people an opportunity to develop in a different way. People who do not perform academically often thrive outside the classroom. Many people who excel academically also show excellence in sport. It is a shame that such opportunities may be lost. It is wrong. I appeal to the Leader to contact the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, about this minor issue. He should make the point that the removal of extra-curricular activities such as football and other games would, in effect, undo years of progress in secondary education. I agree with Senator O'Toole's proposal that we should have a general debate on education, with a particular focus on this issue.

I support Senator Callely's comments on the banks. I agree with him that the yardstick by which any arrangements with the banks should be measured should be the extent to which we extract a quid pro quo whereby interest rates are immediately passed on to ordinary consumers, small businesses are supported and a proactive lending policy is put in place throughout the country. The needs of shareholders should not take pre-eminence again.