Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

However, if 85% of the education budget is going on staff wages, that leaves 15% annually, irrespective of what Government is in power and this will be the reality to be faced. It may be time that teachers started thinking about making some sacrifices instead of crying crocodile tears about holding onto their special posts of responsibility, of refusing to give up an hour at the end of the day. If I am a little emotional about the attitude of teachers, it is because I am a parent and I know the reality of it. I ask the Leader to embrace what has been said here and invite the Minister for Education and Science to the House to outline her priorities for education in the future.