John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that and I will conclude. I would also like to extend the same invitation to the ASTI and the TUI leadership to withdraw from the proposed strike action with regard to reform of the junior cycle. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has brought forward very fair concessions which have not been put to the membership. Many teachers I have spoken to are not interested in strike action; they want a resolution of this issue and at this stage, strike action would be excessive and disproportionate to the issue. It would not be in the interest of teachers, students or their parents.