Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of the ads to which the Deputy referred, but the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, has made it clear that he wants to do everything possible to minimise the disruption caused by the closure of secondary schools across the country, if we get to that point. The Minister is mindful of the difficulties and challenges that will be created within schools, but he is also conscious of the challenges that will be created for families if the schools close.

Deputy Paul Murphy called this an attempt at strike breaking, but the alternative way of looking at it is that the Department of Education and Skills is seeking to put in place measures to minimise the disruption to schools.

I have listened with interest to the way in which the Deputy has described unions that have signed up to the Lansdowne Road agreement. The Deputy has described them as acting in a manner that he does not agree with. I am confident that if we get to a point at which we can resolve this with the ASTI, the Deputy will come in and condemn it for doing so as well. Deputy Murphy's interest is not in the welfare of teachers or in dealing with issues in a way that is affordable for all. His interest is in pursuit of a political agenda that will not meet the needs of teachers in a way that our country can afford.

See this speech in context