Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Listening to the debate this afternoon I am reminded of Tom Kettle's reflections on politics:

there will be always joy and loyalty enough left to keep you unwavering in the faith that politics is not as it seems in clouded moments, a mere gabble and squabble of selfish interests, but that it is the State in action. And the State is the name by which we call the great human conspiracy against hunger and cold, against loneliness and ignorance; the State is the foster-mother and warden of the arts, of love, of comradeship, of all that redeems from despair that strange adventure which we call human life.

The beginning of this Oireachtas term was an opportune moment for the Opposition to kick-start an informed and, indeed, critical debate on this Government's record - its achievements, of which there are many, and also the areas where we have failed to reach the mark. Moreover, it would have been even more beneficial for citizens interested in this debate - I wonder what those listening to this debate think are our priorities in here - for all parties in the House to honestly and credibly set forward their vision for Ireland.

Unfortunately, the parties opposite chose a different tack. They have, in Kettle's words, revealed themselves "as mere gabble and squabble of selfish interests". This is epitomised by the tawdry attempt of those on the Opposition benches to cast aspersions on the role of the Attorney General, a departure that ignores the facts available to us and flies in the face of the content of the commission's report.

I am proud to place on the record of this House my full confidence in the Taoiseach and my admiration and faith in the professionalism, judgment and dedication of the Attorney General. Any fair reading of the commission's report would endorse the Attorney General's actions. At all times she acted as the impartial and objective legal counsel to the Government, not a part of the Government nor a party in government, but to the Government as a whole, led by the Taoiseach. This is in keeping with the remarkable commitment to public service that the Attorney General has displayed since her appointment. The attempts by some Members opposite to besmirch that hard-earned reputation through a malign mixture of innuendo, supposition and what-iffery is pathetic.

As I mentioned earlier, this was the opportunity to have a frank and honest debate about this Government's record and, more importantly, about how we build a thriving, compassionate, nurturing society in the coming years. Instead, the Opposition turned its back on that debate, which is telling in itself.

A debate about future policy direction is particularly valuable in the vital area of education. Last year was the first year in recent times that we secured an increase in the education budget. It was a modest increase, but I am determined to see this as the beginning of increased investment in the important area of education.

In addition to the extra resources that the budgetary increase provided, I have, with the assistance of colleagues, in particular, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, secured additional support during the year for children with special educational needs. I have ensured that every child with Down's syndrome will have an equal right to resource teacher support. As many in this House will be aware, we had a situation whereby parents of children with Down's syndrome whose condition was diagnosed as "mild" were not guaranteed access to resource teachers, and I am glad to say that is no longer the case. Also, in July, I received sanction and Government support to recruit up to 620 additional SNA posts starting this month. This represents an 11.7% increase since the Government came into office, yet I still hear Members opposite clamour about the cut back in SNA positions, which is a complete distortion of the truth. They may have loud voices but at times they are not very good at sums.

This is a missed opportunity to have a debate about values, competence and the future of the country, and we need to have that honest debate. I do not pretend to have all the answers and I would have welcomed the opinions of those on the Opposition benches, as would my colleagues. Unfortunately, others gained the whip hand in the lead in to this debate but, then again, perhaps that is what they want - all bluster and no substance.

See this speech in context