On a second matter, Ceann Comhairle, I ask the Tánaiste when it is proposed that the Minister for Education and Skills might come before the House-----

Here he is.

-----to make a statement - timing is everything they say - on the very troubling brief that he has been given for his Department as he settles into his new role. Page 35 of that brief reflects the fact that the current reduced funding levels create a risk that some schools may not be able to cover critical costs such as insurance, heat and light. The brief continues, "the absence of which could trigger school closures". I am aware that the Minister is taking questions today, but I believe the seriousness of this situation warrants the Minister coming before the House and making a substantive statement on this matter.

I thank the Deputy for her co-operation. Tánaiste, the relevant questions, please.

Could he be any more snide?

I said yesterday that I had no doubt that the Garda Commissioner, where feasible and legal for her to put further information in the public arena, would do so, and that remains my position. I fully support the Commissioner in the difficult job she is doing and I am confident that our discussions will help as much as possible to address the concerns which have been raised, consistent with the principles that I have outlined.

To recap very briefly-----

No, please, let us not have a debate on the issue.

Of course.

Will the Minister publish the responses? If she will, she will; if she will not, she will not.

I have ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner. When it comes to the Dáil debate next week, consistent with the principles I outlined yesterday that must be observed by both her and by me, I will inform the House fully as to the outcome of those discussions.

I thank the Tánaiste and ask her to respond to the education issue that has been raised.

The Minister for Education and Skills is taking questions today. There is a strong commitment in the programme for Government regarding capitation for pupils, class sizes and other matters concerning education, for example, safeguarding the position of small schools, and no doubt the Minister will respond to the reports which are in the public arena today regarding safeguarding our schools. We certainly will do that.