Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

During those conferences it was not appropriate to persuade the members of the union to vote one way or the other. I put forward the case that, in my view, what was an option arising from Croke Park was the issue which, without a doubt, was accepted by the Government, negotiated between both sides under the auspices of the LRC and that my view at that time was that it was the best option available from the Government but I asked each individual to consider it themselves. If I were to dictate to members of any union what should happen, it would be completely inappropriate during a time of consultation and thought processes.

I agreed to clarification because I wanted to ensure a number of things. If I was to give clarity in one way or another, my grave concern was that I would be seen to try to influence a particular union or members of a union when those people wished to have their own evaluation of what was happening. At present, voting is taking place for a number of unions and clarity was sought. I indicated to a number of teachers who had concerns that those concerns were unfounded but following discussions in the Department, my representative at those discussions and the leaders of the unions asked for a letter to clarify the situation. The way in which it has been worded gives clarity about the time teachers are expected within tuition.

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