Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [37931/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has a collective duty to respond to an economic situation of unprecedented difficulty and to take very difficult decisions in the national interest. In doing this we have attempted to afford some shelter to the education sector but given the scale of public expenditure on education it is simply not possible to avoid tough decisions. These decisions are justified by the imperative of securing the future economic stability of the country.

I have called for co-operation from all the education partners in meeting the challenges facing us both as an education community and as a country. I have already met the ASTI at their request. I am organising to meet other unions and management bodies, including the INTO and TUI.