FG urges minister to intervene in teachers' dispute

Fine Gael has called on the Education Minister to intervene in the dispute between the Department of Education and the Association of Secondary Teachers.

Party spokesman Michael Creed said: "What we have at the moment is a classical Mexican stand-off, with no side indicating a preparedness to yield or compromise.

"The innocent victims caught in the crossfire are ultimately the students, who face uncertainty as regards school openings from March 4th if the contingency plans don’t work."

He said a strong signal from the minister could help end the row.