I ask that the Seanad take up the clear invitation of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to have a debate on the provision of early childhood care and how it should be funded. The Minister has made it clear he wants such a debate and we should take him up on his offer and invite him to the Chamber for a specific debate on the funding of early childhood care and the provision of an additional year.

I apologise but I must leave to attend the committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. My colleagues who were Members of the previous Seanad will know that as a policy-driven Senator I drew up a policy paper on a new approach to child care. I held public meetings in the city and got the opinions of parents and grandparents who figure prominently in the care of small children. One of the key areas was the dire need for free preschool education. I do not like to blow my own trumpet but I was very much part of the introduction of the free preschool year which was introduced for every child aged between three years and three months to four years. I was among other people but am proud of my personal achievement in driving this through. Fianna Fáil began the delivery of free preschool education.