Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. i agree there has been some progress, but more definitely needs to be done. What a wonderful legacy it would be for the 33rd Dáil to bring in free early education for the people of this country. I accept there are competing priorities but whenever I ask for someone's priorities, I never ask for their press releases or the statements they have made; I always say, "Show me your accounts," because it is only in the allocation of finite resources that we reveal our true priorities.

I recognise there is progress. I recognise there is more work to be done, but Donogh O'Malley's example proves that we can be brave. We were brave once and we should be brave again. I urge the Taoiseach to summon the courage to solve this problem once and for all and we will solve early childhood education once and for all.

See this speech in context