FG move for debate on special needs assistants defeated

SEANAD REPORT:THE DYSFUNCTIONAL system of governance in the North of Ireland was never going to work, a Government-supporting member maintained.

Fiona O'Malleysaid she did not wish to strike a discordant note but felt there was a need to give thought to what was happening. Every time there was a crisis the British and Irish governments attempted to sort matters out. How were locally elected representatives ever going to live up to their responsibilities if that continued to happen? "What I think it exposes [is] the inherent problem in the system of governance in the North of Ireland . . . as everyone knows the Westminster elections are coming up and that is what is foremost for politicians of that area . . . but this question of the dual mandate and the triple mandate, indeed, just shows how the North of Ireland is over governed."

Ms O’Malley said she thought the crisis provided an opportunity for both governments to look at the need to devise a true system of governance with a true opposition. Until that was done, there would never be independent and successful governance in the North.

Labhrás Ó Murchú(FF) warned if stalemate continued in the political process it would lead to a dangerous vacuum.

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An attempt by Fine Gael to get an emergency debate on reports that hundreds of educational special needs assistants would have to finish work this Friday was defeated on a vote.

Fine Gael leader in the House Frances Fitzgeraldcalled on Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe to explain how children needing such assistance would survive in mainstream classes. "Clearly, there is a type of gatekeeper situation in place . . . resources are not being given to young people who need these services."

Joe O'Toole(Ind) said that all of this went back to the non-implementation of sections of the legislation concerning education for persons with special needs. "We have been sold a pup in that it has not been commenced. The relevant sections could be activated at little cost."

Deputy Seanad leader Dan Boyle(GP) said education cuts, made necessary by the economic situation, had been the smallest in terms of any Government department.