Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I wish to ask the Leader three questions. To echo other speakers on this side of the House, will the Leader arrange for the Minister for Education and Science to attend the House in respect of the loss of teaching posts? Staffing schedules for schools are issuing and have issued in the past week. Schools are up in arms because so many posts are being lost to the children. At a joint committee, the Minister told me that English language teaching posts would not be lost, but the reverse seems to be the case. There is total confusion.

Like other Senators, I am delighted that the Garda and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement have moved on Anglo Irish Bank. Given that international confidence in our banking system is at an all-time low, the move was necessary. No regulation has worked and the situation has been too cosy. Moreover, the move was necessary in terms of public confidence. Businesses have told me that they are experiencing difficulties collecting money due to them. It is not the case that people do not have the money owed. Rather, they are not ashamed to refuse to pay thanks to the poor example being set by the top. It has come to this because the Government has not set a good example and tackled white collar crime. We must move on the matter and the Government must send the message that——