Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not suggest for a moment that there are not continuing challenges or that one can be complacent about their nature. However, I defend the Government's record in terms of what has been achieved under successive Ministers as a result of successful policies. I recognise that, in reducing class sizes, providing thousands of resource teachers and more special assistances, there will be cases — as there always have been — where temporary accommodation is required. I acknowledge that in some instances this has been going on too long and I respect that some people have grievances in this regard, but do not portray the education system as being totally bereft of development or modernisation because that is not a true reflection of the situation.

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