Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Is mór an t-áthas atá orm a bheith anseo arís ag labhairt i dtaobh cúrsaí oideachais. Ní haon ionadh é go mbíonn suim i gcónaí ag na Seanadóirí i gcúrsaí oideachais, mar go mbaineann siad le gach clann sa tír.

The country has a fortunate quality of education. No matter the side of the political divide on which people are, we would all accept that our education system has helped to create our economy and society, including its proud and confident young people. From speaking to schools and students, much of the credit must go to our quality teachers. I have spent time discussing with other countries their education systems and they are all envious of the high calibre of people we continue to attract into teaching.