Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Unfortunately, there is nobody on the Opposition benches — nobody from any party other than my party — to engage in this debate. Although you cannot make a judgment on that, we all agree it is unfortunate the party proposing the motion and the parties supporting and speaking in favour of it are not here to listen to some opposing views in defence of the Government's long, proud record on education. I make that point because the record sometimes cannot convey that. I am now delighted to see my constituency colleague from the Labour Party, who proposed the motion, joining us.

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