Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission on an extension to the Croke Park agreement, which include a requirement for teachers to provide cover for the first day of certified sick absence, arise from an intensive and difficult set of negotiations between the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Government. These negotiations took place against a backdrop of continuing significant difficulties in the finances of the State.

The public service trade unions are currently considering the outcome of these negotiations. Their members now have an important decision to make and, in my view, it is better for us all to allow them the time and space to reflect and come to that decision without any perceived pressure from any side. In light of that, it would not be helpful to this ongoing process for me to comment or elaborate upon proposals which were carefully constructed by the LRC.

See this speech in context