Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My motion and Deputy Martin's are similar. The have the same intent in that they both seek to have this issue sorted out from the point of view of the children. In regard to Deputy Martin's motion, we are in the last seconds of this process. I had intended to propose that an independent mediator be appointed but, of course, that has already happened. It could happen again, I do not know. It seems to me that a huge amount of time was lost in the interregum from last November to May this year. That time cannot be bought back. If Deputy Martin pursues her motion, to be consistent and to allow the talks next week a chance Fianna Fáil will abstain. Perhaps at that point the joint committee would invite in officials from the Department of Education and Skills and the State Examinations Commission to get their views on the matter and to encourage them to engage with the unions, including the TUI. This matter must be resolved. I hope and pray that the talks next week will be successful. I believe with a bit of give and take, and putting the interests of the students at the centre, a resolution will be found. The pay issue is separate. The committee is not dealing with that issue at all. As I said, in this matter the children's interests must be first.

Perhaps in terms of my motion and Deputy Martin's motion we should stay out of this for the moment in that in terms of this very discussion a signal has been sent out that we want this matter sorted and the children, in particular, looked after.