Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was intrigued by the exchange between my colleagues, Senators Gavan and Malcolm Byrne, on the subject of education. It should not be a matter of either pride or shame to have not gone or sent one's children to a fee-paying school. It seems that the difference between fee-paying schools and non-fee-paying schools is that fee paying schools get less of a subvention from the State because those who pay fees are presumed to be able to pay more. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the idea that parents should subvent their children's education if they wish and still expect to get a measure of State support by virtue of the fact that they are also taxpayers. The idea that faith communities cannot establish schools or that fee paying schools should be somehow looked down on is not republicanism; that is statism and that one-size-fits-all approach. Let different kinds of education flourish and let those who can afford it pay more. Every taxpayer in this country is entitled to expect a certain level of State support for the education of their children. That is an important principle.

I want to raise the credit that is due to Senator Keogan for bringing us together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, rescuing us temporarily from the impotence that many of us feel in the face of this crisis. Enormous credit is due to those who are taking practical steps to be of assistance. Last Monday, outside Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, there were people loading up a van with blankets and anything else that people were in a position to contribute, people taking active steps in solidarity with others in their need. That is where the good stuff is to be found. I would rather lead by example than criticise other countries for what they are not doing. It is our deeds that will speak much louder than our words of criticism of others. Let us seek to encourage that spirit of solidarity. We may all individually and collectively be asked to make sacrifices in terms of the space we enjoy in our homes, the property that is available to us and so on in solidarity with people. Let us do it. Let us go for it. Let us encourage each other in the effort.

I ask that we would keep Ukraine on the agenda so that we can continue to reflect on the geopolitical issue. Small as we may be, we have things to say. There are things we need to be thinking about, such as how we get to a solution where there is a prosperous, neutral and free Ukraine again.