ASTI industrial dispute
Senator D’Arcy welcomes talks between the ASTI and the Minister, praises restraint over industrial action, and seeks an early agreement on implementing the new junior cycle.
It is welcome that the ASTI and the Minister are now talking about resolving the issues between them. I congratulate the ASTI standing committee and its central executive committee on the responsible attitudes to planned industrial action. It has been kept to a minimum. For the good of the students of the country, I hope an early resolution can be brought to the dispute. The Minister is right to agree to have discussions with teachers on the implementation of the new junior certificate cycle. It is important that everyone is on board. I look forward to the secondary school students having an uninterrupted year. It is a very important time in their lives.