Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin is wrong to say preconditions were set down. On her appointment as Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, said she was willing to listen, engage and become involved with all concerned. She appointed Dr. Travers, the former president of St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, as chairman of the talks process, but the terms of reference were all proposed by the unions, not by the Minister, and the Minister accepted them. It is not true to say preconditions were set down or that the change was bulldozed through.

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