Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)

I have one special message for the Government. When it took power it knew the situation. It made certain commitments but it did not tell the people that it planned to make an unprecedented attack on our education system. I speak to support the motion brought by Deputy Smith on behalf of guidance counsellors who have provided an invaluable service over the years. At a time when students are facing crises in their personal lives that we never had to deal with when we are young, these counsellors are doing important work. Telling principals that it is up to them to run their own houses is like handing them a grenade with the pin pulled and telling them to do what they can with it.

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