Leading ladies give each other a lesson in history

THERE were no wigs on the screen but skin and hair almost flew when two of the leading political ladies went at it over education spending yesterday.

The debate on RTÉ Television’s Campaign Daily pitted Education Minister Mary Hanafin against Fine Gael’s Olwyn Enright — her potential successor if the alternative coalition emerges victorious when voters go to the polls next Thursday.

The focus on class sizes and shortages of school places for children in expanding urban areas was to be expected.

But it was one of the first occasions that the normally reserved minister has shown her true political acumen since taking office 32 months ago.

Discussing the issue of councils giving planning permission for massive housing developments without requiring sites for schools, the Dún Laoghaire TD insisted there are places for every child.

“I am just reassuring parents who are being whisked up into a frenzy by some political opponents last year and again this year,” she said.

The reference to these protests, mostly in the Dublin area and often with opposition party participation, was an attempt to divert concerns of families who feel ignored by the Department of Education.

But Ms Enright was not to be outdone, getting in a neat jab when the minister rejected her claim there would not be places for all primary pupils in Newbridge, Co Kildare, in September.

“You committed on radio with me in October that they would have them within weeks, and they’re still in the same position,” she countered.

But Ms Hanafin blamed her opposite number for the situation.

“There’s a place for every child in Newbridge and elsewhere. You started this panic last year, as did others saying ‘there won’t be places, there won’t be places’,” replied the minister.

Asked by interviewer Bryan Dobson if she felt short-changed by Finance Minister Brian Cowen in terms of her department’s budget, Ms Hanafin said she will always fight for more.

But the Laois-Offaly TD was quick to respond with a jibe at the way the Government has spent the increased education funding.

“I’m not worried about Mary Hanafin being short-changed, so much as the families and children of this country being short-changed,” said Ms Enright.