Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I would genuinely like a different type of debate. I am open to all suggestions. However, shouting down other speakers and making political cases impresses nobody, either insider or outside the House. Nevertheless, I will answer the question put directly to me by Senator David Cullinane in respect of an issue that is entirely extraneous, namely, the decision as to whether the VEC site should go to Waterford or Wexford when the two were amalgamated. That decision was made objectively by the Department of Education and Skills. Wexford was chosen because its population base is larger than both Waterford city and county combined. There are double the number of schools in Wexford and the number of pupils is considerably greater-----