Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for being here and the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. The industrial relations problems that seem to be bubbling up in the education sector are of significant concern to parents and students alike. There are threats and counter-threats and meetings and preconditions to meetings. I thought I would offer the Minister the opportunity to set out the Department's position on a range of issues to give some reassurance to those affected - the pupils, parents and teachers - that the Department is taking a lead role in this, that it is doing something about it and is not going to allow this situation to fester until September, with potentially serious consequences for the education system.

The Minister has threatened to take a range of measures if, for example, the ASTI repudiates the Lansdowne Road agreement and does not do what is required and yet page 305 of the briefing he received states that it is determined that ASTI and TUI members could not be excluded from the legislation and they will therefore benefit from any pay improvements which are brought about through legislation. There seems to be a bit of a difference in approach there. Is the Minister on solid legal ground in these threats? More importantly, what is he doing to try to resolve the situation so that these threats are not necessary and the education of our children and students does not suffer? What sanctions does he believe can be put in place?

Last week I raised the issue of junior certificate reform. That is another issue that needs to, and can, be sorted out if the will is shown by the Department, the Minister and, indeed, the unions - I will not exclude any side from this - to sort it out and to ensure the issue is addressed and put to bed so that we can get on with the main job which is required to be done.

Another issue relates to allowances. In the last days of the outgoing Government, allowances were restored for firefighters. Is it possible that this opens the way for post-2012 teachers who lost out on similar allowances to reach similar deals? The TUI seems to believe a precedent has been set. Is it correct? Is this something the Minister has given consideration to?

The Minister will also be aware that newly qualified teachers are now starting to organise themselves, and they are right to assert their anger and to highlight the inequality and the unfairness, which they are doing in increasing numbers. I have met some of them at their meetings and they are looking for equality. Perhaps the Minister could outline the steps he is taking in this regard. Fianna Fáil believes that future pay agreements should focus on equalising pay for new entrants and we are committed to restoring equality of treatment for teachers. However, what is the Minister doing on this matter? It is now beginning to cause considerable upset within schools because in many cases these teachers are settling in to their jobs, achieving permanency and now feel more secure to be able to speak out on the issue. A range of issues have landed on the Minister's desk. I will write to him privately to seek a meeting on other issues. We need to get a grip on this situation or there will be serious consequences for education and for our students.

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