Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Fianna Fáil does not come into this debate with clean political hands. As a former Minister for Education, the party's current leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, is aware that almost 80% of my budget is expended on pay and pensions. He also knows we must find places and teachers for the additional 70,000 primary and secondary school pupils who will avail of our school buildings over the next six years. The Deputy is also aware that we must reduce the numbers working in the public sector.

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