Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everything we do in government is about equality. I do not intend to engage in a public war of words here because as a member of the ASTI and somebody who wants to see this issue resolved, I am aware there are young people in the Public Gallery, some of whom are doing examinations, but as Senator Craughwell rightly said, there is a multiplicity of schoolteachers across the country doing a huge amount of voluntary work, whether it is projects, plays, musicals, training teams and so on. We must recognise the importance of the work they do both outside and inside the classroom but what the Government has committed to is pay restoration, whether it is for the new entrants or the existing teachers. In that regard I will not be lectured to by some of the Members opposite because it was their policies that resulted in the need for us to bring in the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation, and they should reflect upon that. We must ensure that we have a sustainable public service that is not based on privatisation, as Senator Devine said. I certainly do not want to see the public sector privatised and nor do I see many in Fine Gael who want to do that, so that is a misrepresentation but we must have an efficient, well-resourced, well-managed public service. I appeal to those on all sides to come back to the table and engage because it is vitally important that a resolution is achieved. Nobody wants to see members of An Garda Síochána, schoolteachers or any public sector workers on strike, and we all recognise the hardship that resulted from the cuts that were inflicted but the fundamental point is that this Government, as did the previous Government, have started to restore pay.

I thank Senators Craughwell and Feighan for raising the issue of the men from the 35th Battalion who fought in Jadotville. A presidential unit citation was presented to the soldiers and the next of kin-----