Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister to reconsider this. We should look at it from the point of view of a teacher union. It will see this as a proposal which will only inflame the situation. I know the Minister said that there would have to be a return to negotiation and mediation to hopefully resolve this. The Minister has to understand where people are coming from with a hammer hanging over their heads and how they will perceive this. It is not just the Minister who should reconsider this. I do not want to put Fianna Fáil on the spot but if it opposes this section, then it will not go through. I appeal to Deputy Calleary because, as we saw the last time we debated this when his amendment was pushed through when all Members of the Opposition came together, I think there is a responsibility on the Deputy and Fianna Fáil not to sit on their hands with regard to this section. To do so will not go unnoticed by the teacher unions. It is not just a matter of the Government position. Fianna Fáil's position will not go unnoticed.

I appeal to the Deputy to join us in opposing the section.

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