Oifig an Taoisigh, Office of the Taoiseach
17 January 2001
Mr Don McCluskey President ASTI
Dear Mr McCluskey,
Thank you for your letter of January 16th about the current industrial dispute.
I hope I made it clear in my article in yesterday's Irish Times that the Government very much values the role of teachers and believes that it is essential that their pay and conditions reflect their contribution to our economy and society.
I also had to make it clear, however, that we have to operate in recognition of the fact that the pay of any particular group of public servants cannot be determined without reference to the implications for the public service as a whole. While it is entirely legitimate for the ASTI to pursue its own case in its own way, the Government has a responsibility to the vast majority of people, in both the public and the private sectors, who are operating within the framework of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
As I think is clear from my article in yesterday's Irish Times I strongly believe that it is incumbent on all of us to do everything we can to bring the current unnecessary dispute to an end for the sake of all concerned in our education system, pupils, parents and teachers alike. I want to reaffirm the Government's commitment, for our part, to engaging in discussions that will bring the dispute to an end. This, of course, has already been made clear by the Minister for Education and Science in all his public pronouncements on the issue. As you will be aware, repayments of money deducted from principals, deputy principals and those on approved absence, for example, sick leave and maternity leave, are currently in the course of being made. The Minister for Education and Science has conveyed the Government position to Mr Pomphrett. It is as was set out in my article in yesterday's Irish Times and, in particular, I confirm that the remaining payments in question will be refunded without prejudice to the position of either side. As I said in that article, all that is required is that the ASTI engage in the talks process to which it has already agreed.
I hope that, as you indicated in your letter, you will be prepared to put this proposal before the Standing Committee and the Central Executive Council. I look forward to a positive outcome so that we can engage in a meaningful talks process as quickly as possible.
Yours sincerely Bertie Ahern, Taoiseach