Fiona O'Malley (Independent)

We take no pleasure in the difficult measures that had to be taken but it is what is necessary.

I will conclude on the following point. I have just heard on the news the deeply regrettable comment from one of the education union leaders that this Government will get no co-operation from his union. That is disgraceful. What he is putting up for ransom is the education of children. He should withdraw that comment. It is deeply regrettable that he would say something like that and penalise the children of this country for tough decisions the Government has had to make.