Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Taoiseach said, it is a once-in-a-century happening. He said that all stakeholders have to show flexibility. Has there been inflexibility and, if so, how does he believe we can get over this issue? I agree the Minister has given resources but the truth is they are not enough because it is a once-in-a-century happening - the Taoiseach said it himself. Therefore, in a situation like this, we have to make sure the resources we put in place will support the systems, like education, which the Taoiseach and all his colleagues believe is one of the most important systems to support. The Taoiseach spoke of supply panels. All I can tell him is that one third of schools in Sligo do not even have access to supply panels, never mind being able to get teachers from them. This is a once-in-a-century emergency situation and I believe that insufficient planning has gone into dealing with it.

See this speech in context