Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many speakers have spoken about the situation in Ukraine. As others have said, we are at a very delicate moment. We are hanging on to peace by our fingertips right now. It is a moment when Ireland really needs to punch above its weight because the difference between war and peace is about real diplomacy and real leadership. The Tánaiste is meeting the Russian ambassador today but we need to work together with Europe to ensure we save this country from war. It is absolutely on tenterhooks. I know quite a few really good Ukrainian people living in Ireland. I have seen how hard they have worked to set up lives here. This decision now lies largely in the hands of a few men. When we think that this is international women's week, it is a moment when we need to go for this and save it.

As the people leave the Gallery, I would like to welcome the visitors from Austria. A total of 70 students from Austria are visiting our Parliament today.

I wish to raise briefly another matter. Next Tuesday 27,000 teachers will strike about the reforms to the junior certificate, particularly about the marking system because the Minister is going to return this to the hands of the teachers.

Many teachers feel, as I do, that standards could be reduced if we do not have more objectivity and that the State role in marking should not be completely eradicated. Will the Leader arrange an urgent debate on education standards and junior certificate reform, if possible, next Tuesday? If he could fit that in, it would be very helpful.