Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I echo what was said by Senator Norris today and Senator Crown yesterday that this House is not a House for individual constituencies, but a House for the country. Given the pain that was evident in the face of the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, when he spoke yesterday, it was clear that the decision was taken because he had no other option and was done within the parameters of what was available as mentioned by Senator Paul Coghlan. Sometimes people need to do things for the country that they would not do for their constituency if they are politically minded. Difficult decisions are difficult decisions and need to be taken by Government, and nobody is happy taking difficult decisions.

I have a question for the Minister for Education and Skills on grinds. Senator Barrett spoke about the teaching of maths. I compliment Engineers Ireland, which for the past 18 months has been offering free maths grinds for leaving certificate students on Saturday mornings. It has now extended the scheme into the junior certificate. The grinds are provided by engineers who are qualified in honours maths and applied maths. I have a son who has done maths and applied maths. There is talent throughout the country. UCD have been very good at following up with its alumni in the enterprise sector. I spoke yesterday about how it is following up with the alumni in London who are involved in businesses. The Government and universities should come together to use the talent that exists. President McAleese has spoken about the attitude to volunteerism in Ireland. Most graduates who did honours maths do not go into teaching. My son did not go into teaching. There is a great deal of talent available. Many people who are not politicians would do things for their country if they had the opportunity to do so. Universities and voluntary groups, for example, would be glad to capitalise on the services of such individuals. We have to lay down the criteria for this by deciding who is and is not qualified to teach maths. We should avail of the massive talent available. Many honours graduates are not teachers. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to establish a group to see how we can work with the universities to do something like this.