Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I acknowledge the progress made on DEIS urban schools - it is significant that 235 posts have been protected. However, more needs to be done for rural schools. We need to ensure that there is equality of education provision across.

I welcome the constitutional convention established by the Taoiseach. The debate on the Seanad should also form part of the remit of the constitutional convention. It is important for the House to unite on the issue.