Taoiseach urged to intervene in teachers' row

Fine Gael's education spokesman Michael Creed has called on the Taoiseach to intervene in the teachers pay dispute.

He said the rejection of the Labour Court recommendations proves that teachers have lost faith in the Minister for Education.

Deputy Creed said thousands of pupils studying for their Leaving and Junior Cert exams now find themselves the unfortunate victims of the dispute.

He said, "In the firing line now are the examinations and, in particular, the oral and practical exams that are about to get underway on the 26th of this month.

"What I am calling for is for the Taoiseach to intervene directly in the dispute. It is a difficult, emotive and protracted issue but the Taoiseach, in his previous incarnation as a Minister for Labour, has shown himself to be adept at labour relations skills and resolving disputes."