Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

They are wrong to state people should not engage with their public representatives. They are wrong to behave like a dictatorship. They may have large numbers and carry on like a dictatorship but they should remember that, throughout the world, dictators were knocked over by the will of the people. The people will eventually rise up against the Government.

The Government is targeting the most vulnerable people in respect of rural schools. It did not say to the schools before the election that it would make the budgetary decision it made. It was not honest with the people. It is targeting small schools, gaelscoileanna, Gaeltacht schools and minority-faith schools. It should at least be up-front with them. This is another of the Government's anti-rural measures. It should at least be up-front and engage in an act of solidarity. Members opposite should vote for the motion and not be so mealy-mouthed about the matter.

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