Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

The INTO is winding up a successful series of meetings on class sizes. I congratulate the organisation for its campaign which has been focused and effective in highlighting the Government's embarrassing track record and in outlining what needs to be done to provide our children with the best education possible. Parents and teachers now know beyond doubt that they have been cheated by Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, whose promises have been repeatedly broken. Attempts have been made to divide and conquer by trying to make funding available either for class size reductions or special needs. Despite this, some Government representatives valiantly attempted to defend the indefensible at INTO meetings. Most of them took the easy option, however, and did not even bother to turn up. At the meeting I attended not one of five Government Deputies from three constituencies turned up. They left the explanations to their personal assistants, local councillors and unelected candidates. Their absence was noted and will not be forgiven by the thousands of parents and teachers who attended such meetings. In the main, those who attended the INTO meetings were Opposition representatives, including candidates. I was impressed by the quality of the contributions at the meeting I attended which were delivered with passion, outrage and sheer indignation. One would think every party had given a firm commitment to reduce class sizes, yet the same day on national radio the INTO's general secretary, Mr. John Carr, told it like it was. He said that, to date, only the Green Party had given a detailed and specific commitment on reducing class sizes.

At the same meeting the Labour Party leader, Deputy Rabbitte, who likes to describe the Green Party as a fashion trend told those present that the Labour Party would be tabling a motion on class sizes in the Dáil the following week. My heart leapt for joy. At last, I thought we might have a coalition of the willing on class sizes — those willing to put their money where their mouth was and specify exactly what they would do. Alas, however, after hearing the Labour Party introduce its motion last night, my bubble was burst — more of the same criticism of the Government but few firm commitments.

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