Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I ask for two debates in the House. One relates to information in the newspapers today indicating that we are likely to have the lowest number of students in a long time taking honours maths this year. What concerns me most is that Project Maths, which is being rolled out in pilot schools now, will have a very low take-up. The Minister for Education and Skills must ask why, as Project Maths is meant to be the solution to making maths more accessible for our students at honours and ordinary level. Given the need for maths as a critical component for our smart economy and innovation we must know a little more about what is going on.

I mentioned the second matter last week. We spoke about bringing the chief executive of NAMA before the House and the Leader mentioned that he was looking at changes in the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in that regard. It is important to ask the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, to address these questions. Senator Daly spoke last week about properties being bought by people who were bailed out in the first instance and the public is concerned about this. In every one of our towns and cities around the country, NAMA is having a real effect.

It was brought to my attention last night that Treasury Holdings, which owns the Convention Centre Dublin, has €500 million in debt but we still paid €200,000 for use of the centre during the Queen's visit. Why did that happen? Does it not appear that we are paying on the double? I would like an explanation.