Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It would be important to recognise that this would be a useful opportunity for Europe to buy back the agricultural vote by putting a few shillings into the pot to deal with this issue, but that is one of the issues at which we can look in terms of a debate.

The House will be aware that 50,000 to 70,000 people, depending on whom one listens to, were on the march in Dublin against the outrageous cuts in education which affect schools, school communities, children with disadvantage and a variety of others, and which have devastated small communities which will lose a teacher or which were looking for an extra teacher. The Leader has refused to put the matter down for discussion again this week. Therefore, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that we discuss today education and the impact of and need to reverse the Government cuts.

The Cathaoirleach will recall that we had a major difference of opinion in the House on Thursday last about the lack of an Order of Business on Friday. I checked with the Leader and he informed me that he is intent on not having an Order of Business again on Friday.