Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I can sympathise and empathise with those who are worried about the education budget. As a former deputy principal, I too have concerns about the potential impact on the day-to-day management and running of schools and how it will affect the pupils. While I will not be writing letters or sending e-mails, I will discuss my concerns with the Minister for Education and Science as soon as he returns from China. I have no doubt that other savings can be made to ensure that our children will not suffer. I encourage all partners in education to discuss potential savings with the Minister, as I believe there are areas in which savings can be made. I appeal to all sides to engage in meaningful talks to ensure this happens.

Members must rise to the challenges presented by the dire economic situation. Were Fianna Fáil and the Government trying to be popular and populist, they would not have taken any tough decisions in the budget. However, Governments must take tough decisions and govern, while Oppositions will oppose. Before the budget last Tuesday week, everyone agreed that tough decisions and sacrifices had to be made. This budget directly affects everyone. While it may be unpopular, tough times call for tough measures to be taken and we must cut our cloth according to our measure. The beauty of being in opposition is that one can call for everything to be increased and retained without raising taxes. However, such an easy policy is totally unrelated to the reality of being in government.

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