Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the parents in the Public Gallery who chose to travel to the House for this motion and thank Deputy Brian Hayes for tabling it. The Fine Gael motion is straightforward and I believe that but for party loyalty, many Fianna Fáil, Progressive Democrats and Green Party Deputies would support it and I appeal to them to do so. Listening to experienced and influential Deputies like Deputy O'Rourke speaking to support the motion, but who disappear and return later to vote against the motion, does not inspire the type of confidence we, as politicians, should inspire among our visitors.

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