FG to urge teachers to end action

TEACHER unions will be urged today by Fine Gael’s education spokesman to end industrial action in schools which has the potential to impact on students and damage public support.

Brian Hayes will also be critical of the Government’s decision before Christmas to walk away from talks with public service unions which could have brought about much-need reforms in the running of schools and other services.

In an address to a party AGM in Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s Cork North West constituency, Mr Hayes will outline his belief that, while the country’s 65,000 teachers are justifiably angry at pay cuts and education cutbacks, no good will come from a protracted period of unrest and non-cooperation in schools.