asked the Minister for Education the arrangements he is making to ensure that maximum class size in national schools will be 40 pupils; and the date or dates by which such an upper limit will become operative in all national schools.

: Monitoring of the organisational arrangements in national schools is part of the normal functions of the Department's inspectorate.

The maximum class size of forty pupils will not be made mandatory in all national schools until the planned further improvements in the pupil/ teacher ratio are effected over the next few years.

: Would the Minister agree that, in the light of the manifesto commitment to reduce maximum class sizes to 40, it would be reasonable of us in this House and people outside to expect that that would become effective during the term of office of the present Government? Will he give that assurance now?

: The variables are so many that I cannot give that kind of assurance.

: They were not so many before last June.

: The variables are always there. There is no explanation for explosion of population. I have been interrupted by Deputy Keating.

: I am sorry. The Minister provoked me.

: We want to get on with Question Time.

: I am sorry about the provocation. It is my firm resolution that what is asked be so, but I give no assurances and fix no dates.

: Is the Minister aware that there are over 170,000 children at present in classes of more than 40 and that at the present rate of improvement, the class size will not be reduced to the maximum of 40 during his term of office?

: I am aware of the figures quoted by the Deputy but I am aware also that there are more than 109,000 children in classes of fewer than 30 and that there are 3,741 children in classes of fewer than 15. I have an obligation to add to the teaching force and to try to deploy teachers so that the numbers in classes will be reduced to 40. That is my first obligation and I regard it as a sacred pact with the electorate.

: May we take it now that the undertaking in the manifesto to reduce class sizes to a maximum of 40 is being reneged on?

: There will be no reneging on that part of our policy as outlined in the manifesto nor will there be reneging on any other aspect of our policy either.

: What would the Minister do during the next general election campaign in the event of his failing to reduce class sizes to a maximum of 40?

: He would resign.

: Questions that are loaded with argument are not conducive to speeding up the Question Time procedure.

5.