Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to get the Minister for Education and Skills to attend the House to discuss third-level fees and the fact that the Labour party has broken another campaign promise.

The comprehensive spending review is to be published today. It will be announced by the Government at a press conference, rather than in the Dáil or Seanad. The Government did the same thing last week with the review of the capital programme. I ask the Leader to provide sufficient time early next week - I would suggest Tuesday - to debate the elements within the comprehensive spending review.

On the Garda Commissioner's draft policing plan for 2012, I raised a matter on the Adjournment yesterday about the closure of Garda stations in my area of Dublin. However, such closures will affect many constituencies, both rural and urban, across the country. The Government is trying to slip this policy in under the radar. The answer I got from the Minister, Deputy Shatter - who was not here, although that does not necessarily surprise me - was that the Garda Commissioner's draft policing plan for 2012 will be produced shortly. I asked if "shortly" meant next week, the week after or in January, but got no reply. I therefore ask the Leader to provide time next week to discuss the Government's plans to restrict or close Garda stations all over the country. Perhaps the Leader can find out from the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Garda Commissioner's draft policing plan for 2012 will be published. I had no joy in getting any information from his office yesterday.