Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)

Before I put a question to the Leader, I compliment Sinn Féin on becoming the chameleon party of the country. It depends on what side of the Border one is on. I agree with Senator Cullinane that it is a disgrace that the flag of any nation would be disrespected and burned on bonfires, but I would also hope members of Sinn Féin respect the Union flag and the flag of Ulster today, 12 July.

My question to the Leader is in on the school transport system. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, to come to the House and make a statement. The school transport system was set up in 1964 when the catchment areas were decided. We have had 13 censuses of population since then and have had major changes in centres of population and schools. I compliment the Department on changing the rule this year which entitles one to free travel to the nearest school if one has a medical card. It also raises an issue in families that one has what one holds. In other words, if one was entitled last year to a category A ticket and had a medical card, one was entitled to free school transport. However, if one wishes the second child to travel on the same bus but not to the nearest school, one is asked to pay, even if one has a medical card. I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on an appeal system for hardship cases. This system will split families. I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on the new school transport system.