Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I second Senator Bacik's call for a debate on the education system. I welcome Senator Boyle's agreement with this call and I hope when we divide later he will vote in favour of having a debate this afternoon. A sos is proposed between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and a debate could easily be accommodated then, which could then be rolled over. I look forward to debating in detail later the measures proposed in the budget but a debate on the OECD report on education would be worthwhile. I am concerned about how this will appear to the outside world. I note the comments made by the American Chamber of Commerce last night. One of its spokespersons said this was deeply concerning and she was worried that this might have an impact on the level of external investment in the country. A debate would be worthwhile as we consider issues such as standards in schools and the curriculum. I am concerned about the drop in standards in mathematics as well as in literacy levels. I propose we have a debate as soon as possible to demonstrate the seriousness with which the House takes the most recent report.