James Heffernan (Labour)

I second the Government amendment to this Private Members' motion. Education is one of the core values and principles of the Labour Party and was one of the reasons I joined the party. To be debating spending reductions in education this evening is, therefore, difficult for me. I acknowledge the fantastic contribution that various Ministers have made to education. One of the most progressive Ministers for Education was my fellow Limerick man, Donogh O'Malley, but we should not forget the contribution made in more recent times by Niamh Bhreathnach. I do not doubt the current incumbent, Deputy Quinn, will be remembered as a progressive and reforming Minister. The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Cannon, is also doing a fine job.

I concur with the opening sentiments in the Opposition motion, which states that education will be crucial to our economic recovery. Unfortunately, education alone will not allow us to recover. Regardless of how Senator Darragh O'Brien tries to spin it, however, the remainder of the motion is a blatantly politically motivated stunt by a party that is grasping at straws.