Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Everybody who comes before a committee will have their own breadth of vision and experience. What I will say is that I have an obligation to balance the needs of all of the children and young people in the education system. We have actually seen a decrease in exemptions at primary school level to 1.9% compared to 3.3% in 2017. At post-primary level, we are talking about 9.4% in 2017 and 10.5% now. I do not see the point the Deputy is making. I wish to acknowledge the excellent work of this committee. We have a shared agenda. It is absolutely my agenda to promote and enhance the Irish language but I have a duty of care to students who find it especially difficult or challenging. I have to be mindful of the voice of the student who comes to me with their experience. I have to be mindful of the Ombudsman for Children who comes to us and puts the experience of children who are not receiving exemptions in the annual report. There is a view that-----