What is the status of the education and training boards Bill to allow for the reform of the VEC sector? In a slight deviation, I draw the Taoiseach's attention to an ongoing industrial dispute at Laois VEC-----

There can be no deviations on the Order of Business.

-----where the chief executive officer has torn up a 13 year old agreement on transfers which has served teachers, pupils and the VEC well.

The Deputy should find another way to raise that matter.

Teachers voted yesterday in favour of strike action.

What was the Deputy's question that was in order?

I am raising this matter because it has the potential to escalate. I am asking the Taoiseach-----

The Deputy cannot do so because it is not relevant to the Order of Business.

-----to ask the Minister for Education and Skills to intervene to prevent such an escalation.

I am asking the Deputy to try to remain in order.

It is a minor deviation to raise an important matter. I have submitted a request for a Topical Issue debate on it.

I expect the education and training boards Bill to receive clearance very shortly.