Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

As a teacher, I agree with Senator O'Reilly that teachers are very concerned. Having said that, I would like to think sacrifices can be made. I suggest that parents and teachers should work together in the short term until we come out of this downturn. That is what I would say to teachers. As a teacher, I have encouraged many of my former colleagues to try to work out some arrangement. We do not want children to be deprived of extra-curricular activity. As politicians, we should take the lead by pointing out to our teacher colleagues the road they should be going down in the short term. I know it is not ideal.