Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas don Teachta Ó Cuív as an méid atá ráite aige. I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his considerate, insightful and, indeed, measured contribution.

I believe the Deputy is 100% correct, and it has been articulated by Deputy O'Donnell, that there is only one agenda here and it is to find a way forward for all of our children, in this instance children with additional needs in particular. I absolutely believe there is a shared objective, and I say this with the greatest of respect to all of the Deputies here. I believe it is their shared objective also as, indeed, I believe it is the shared objective of the partners in education, and I include all of the voices that have been mentioned, including the teacher unions, the unions representing special needs assistants, the managerial bodies and everyone as a collective. The Deputy asked what exactly we are going to do now. What we are doing is maintaining the fact that priority must be given to children with additional needs. The Deputy referenced public health and absolutely everything in the best interests of everyone who is part of the school community, including those who are working in the school community and the children themselves, has always been underpinned by public health advice. The Department of Education and I have never deviated from public health advice. We will not deviate from public health advice now and whatever we are asked to do in terms of public health advice in the best interests of everybody who works in the education sector and the children we will do. Once again, we are in discussion with everyone concerned and we will continue to discuss, engage and encourage, all of us working collectively to find suitable resolution. I know we are all committed to doing that.

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