Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

A poll published in The Sunday Business Post suggested that support for Fianna Fáil stood at 26%, whereas Fine Gael was at 33%. I am aware this is only a poll but it dispels the myth that the political structures of this country obey a natural order. Many people feel disenfranchised because Fianna Fáil has led successive Governments for the past 11 years. Many organisations, including sections of the media, expect Fianna Fáil to remain in power and therefore accommodate that party.

In respect of the protests against education cuts which are being held outside these Houses today, similar protests were held before the previous general election, yet the leader of INTO — one of our principal educational organisations — welcomed new commitments from the then Minister for Education and Science in respect of class sizes and increased funding for schools even though the Government had failed to meet the commitments it made over the preceding five years. If that is not sucking up to teacher, I do not know what it is.

If Governments do not honour their commitments, they should be thrown out of power. That is the only way we can ensure a healthy democracy. We cannot have an accommodation of a Government that has failed to meet its commitments in a time of plenty and yet takes on board new commitments.