Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Concerning management of an issue, is this not a terrible way to do business? The teachers did not want to be persuaded by the Tánaiste or anybody else. They wanted facts. I attended those conferences as did Deputy Quinn. All the questions teachers raised with me in the course of discussions were simple and the Tánaiste could have clarified matters in the address she was asked to make at two of the teachers' conferences. They did not want her or anybody else to persuade them but simply wanted facts.

The Tánaiste has now provided the facts, at one minute to midnight, as it were, when the teachers are voting on this deal. Is this not an extraordinary act of incompetence on her part and that of her Department? She provided the information that was sought a month after the first request for it and at a time when the ballot is taking place.

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