Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a couple of issues. Representatives from the ICSA and IFA are outside the gates with their presidents Seán McNamara and Francie Gorman to highlight the potential knock-on effects of the Mercosur deal which may be finalised later this month. The viability of the beef sector in Ireland will be greatly effected by the deal. The agricultural sector and farmers in this country do not want compensation. They want fair market access for what is a premium product. Any party and all must make sure that we protect the agriculture sector. The Taoiseach has been very proactive in meeting farm organisations. I welcome his recent comments on the Mercosur deal.

I also raise special school places. I have met many parents in my home county of Longford about the number of places in post-primary schools and special classes across the county. The numbers of places are not sufficient for the numbers coming from the special classes in primary schools. We are at the end of the term but it must be a priority for September 2025. We can see the figures coming from the primary school system. We need to match them up and make sure we have the places in place in September so every parent knows six or nine months ahead of the school year starting that they have a place and not have the situation that exists now where parents are writing to public representatives because they know almost a year in advance that there is no place for their child in the post-primary school in their own home county. I do not think we can accept that.