Ruane simply has to chair talks now to end classroom assistants' dispute

4.31.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 11th Oct 2007

Alliance Party Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA

Alliance Party Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has reiterated his call for the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane to chair talks to resolve the classroom assistant's dispute. He also called on MLAs from other parties who have spoken out on the strike to stop whipping up tension and start being more constructive.

The Lagan Valley MLA said: "The Minister must take a more hands on approach to help settle this dispute. I want to repeat my call for her to chair talks between the employers and the unions.

"This dispute is affecting the most vulnerable children in our society. The scenes outside schools today must never be allowed to happen again.

"The Boards and the Minister must put in place contingency plans to ensure that children who need paramedical therapies can continue to receive them.

"I would call on MLAs from other parties who have waded in, to stop whipping up tension on this issue and start being more constructive.

"Not only has the Executive failed to solve this problem, it has also been slow to act to resolve the further education lecturers' pay dispute. Both issues illustrate the failure of this Executive to make decisions and act quickly to address the needs of local people."

ENDS