Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

That is the demand in the motion, which is clearly framed in accordance with Article 42 of the Constitution. We want parental choice. As the parent of a child in senior infant class, it is wonderful to see my child coming home every day full of excitement and information. Parents in this position are blessed. How much more difficult is it for parents who do not have this experience? Do they not have more rights than others? Do we not have a greater duty of care to them than to the parents of children attending mainstream school? The State has an obligation to the parents of children with autism who are not helped by the belligerent, authoritarian attitude of the Minister for Education and Science.

See this speech in context