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

I take seriously what unions state about matters. Let me quote a union leader who spoke about this matter:

Teachers are feeling they are being taken for granted, that their goodwill is being exploited and that in the face of ever increasing workloads they are holding together a system which is underfunded and under-resourced. None of this is being recognised.

This was said by the INTO's Northern secretary, Mr. Gerry Murphy, while speaking about the payment of teachers under the Northern Ireland Executive. In case the Deputy is not aware of the figures, the entrance salary for teachers in Northern Ireland is €25,000. For teachers here it is €30,000. In the light of all this and the issues teachers in Northern Ireland are facing, under a portfolio for which the Deputy's party recently had responsibility, how can he come into the House and challenge me on the progress that has been made on issues such as this?

He is entitled to do so, but how can he do so with credibility? One of his party's spokespersons urged "all parties to get back around the table in an effort to reach a resolution to the issue of teachers' pay". If that is the language that Sinn Féin is using elsewhere, would it not be appropriate to use the same here?

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