Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and thank the Labour Party for tabling the motion. The decision to target the education cuts at one of the most vulnerable groups in our school system, migrant children, is appalling. It targets those who cannot speak for themselves by a Government that does not want them to speak. It is focused on a group that cannot vote in the general elections. The Government ignores the fact that these people are here for the long haul. They are not going home. They have moved to Ireland with their families and are committing themselves for their long-term future here in this country.

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