Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Why have the writs not been moved for current vacancies in the Seanad? Is this yet another example of paralysis between the Green Party and Fianna Fáil in Government? Are we awaiting the outcome of negotiations on the programme for Government before this can be done? Will the Leader explain why Private Members' Business has been dropped from the Order of Business today? I do not know if that is for the same reason, because he is worried about support from the Green Party on a financial motion in Private Members' time. It is unusual for the Seanad not to have Private Members' time on the first sitting day after the recess.

This paralysis is typical of the Government's approach to decision making. Earlier today, we heard the Tánaiste raise doubts again about the McCarthy report, while the Taoiseach did so on the report of the Commission on Taxation. One must ask where the leadership on decision making in Government resides at this stage.

I indicate in particular the report last week from the Comptroller and Auditor General. The figures in it are quite astounding. When one thinks of the pressure individual families are under at the moment, with them facing negative equity and queuing outside social welfare offices to get small sums of money, while on the other hand we saw in the figures quoted in the report last week a total of €320 million not being recovered from patients using public hospitals, a contract initially valued at €2 million costing €97 million, and millions of euro were spent on electronic voting, it is no wonder people are disillusioned and are losing faith in politics and government. What assurances can the Leader give the House that lessons have been learned from these reports? What changes are taking place in government to ensure better economic management of taxpayers' money?

Doubts are increasing about NAMA and individuals are asking why more than €30 billion or 40% of the total NAMA bonds should be diverted to two broken financial institutions - Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society. How will these broken financial institutions provide credit in the future? What is it like for individuals who are told this enormous amount will go to these institutions while they struggle to access money for their businesses or to pay their mortgages?

I oppose the Order of Business because of the refusal to take Private Members' Business, which is an Opposition motion. I would like to move an amendment to the Order of Business to ask the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to explain his comments earlier this year when he cut provision in schools for children with mild disabilities. He stated he would guarantee that where additional teachers were needed, they would be provided. Fine Gael found out today in a reply to a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 that 200 additional support teachers would be needed to meet the needs of these children in mainstream classes. This is completely contrary to the Minister's statement earlier this year. Many parents have found the supports are not available in their children's classrooms but we were told by the Minister that the decision would have no impact on children and their families. However, the Department says 200 additional support teachers are needed to support the children in mainstream classrooms. I would like the Minister to explain this to the House.