Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

She takes an approach of "It is my way or no way." She will not listen and has not attended any of the ABA schools in a ministerial capacity. As I discovered today, she has not even formally launched the task force report of 2001. Last week, one of the co-authors of the report, Dr. Honan of Trinity College, stated clearly and unequivocally that the Minister is misguided in her view.

We need political leadership on this issue. We need to give people hope and, above all, choice. This can only be brought about by political action. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Micheál Martin, when he was Minister for Education and Science, showed flexibility when he established pilot schools, but no further schools have been established. In fairness to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, as Minister for Education and Science he was prepared to listen and asked his officials to try to solve the problem. However, he did not remain in the post for long enough. Backbench Fianna Fáil Deputies should be aware that the lady is not for turning. They should not bother wasting their time with the Minister. I want them to go to the head of the Government, to the man who is on television a great deal these days for all kinds of reasons. I want them to put pressure on him because I know a small ginger group of people exists within the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party who are unconvinced by the authoritarian stance of the Minister.

I want them to put pressure on the leader of their party to meet people at the very least halfway, to give them hope and not to go through the scandal of young parents of a five year old child dragging their case through the courts and possibly facing the loss of their house. Is this a great edifice to the republican party? Is it a great edifice to our years of independence? More can be done. More should be done but it is time for politicians to listen to what is being demanded.

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