Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

A circular can be described as secondary legislation. Will there be an opportunity for the House to have a debate on the circular on the career guidance issued to second level schools? It is a great untruth for the Minister to suggest he is giving discretion to principals when he has axed 800 posts from second level schools. People get angry when they hear that kind of official speak which somehow attempts to masquerade and camouflage what, in essence, is a savage cut in the provision of career guidance for young people. The Minister does a disservice when he endeavours to deflect the issue to boards of management and principals. The responsibility lies at his door given that he took this decision. There were alternatives in spreading the burden-----

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