Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

When my party was in government, an Administration supported by the then Deputy Cannon, we introduced broad based cuts. This Government has targeted a particular sector because it believes it will not be noticed in the electoral scheme of things. That is a shameful way to plan educational policy and reveals a complete absence of strategy. The decision it has taken is based on what it believes it can get away with. The saving of €15 million comes at a price in terms of life in rural Ireland, the Irish language and minority faiths. Those are the areas that are being affected for the sake of €15 million. The Government believes it has got away with it but what will it do next year and in subsequent years when it will have to hammer everybody by introducing broad based cuts?