Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I am outraged at the thought of a national general strike next Monday. As a former member of IFUT and of the INTO, of which I am now an associate member, I am greatly disappointed with the misguided and poor leadership shown by teachers' unions. They have been encouraging teachers to strike when fewer than 50% of them voted for a strike in the ballot. This point needs to be made in the context of our economy, which is haemorrhaging jobs, and of how we present ourselves to the wider world from which we want to borrow money. We are putting the examinations of our pupils under threat and receiving calls from parents who are saying the proposals are having a demotivating effect on the students.

The Government must take responsibility. I am touched by the fact the House is united on this issue.