Its Ruane's responsibility to avert classroom assistant strke

10.25.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Sep 2007

Alliance Party Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA

Alliance Party Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has called on the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane to take a more hands on role to solve the classroom assistants' dispute, as it is her responsibility to deal with it. He demanded that she chair the talks as strike action may take place tomorrow if the dispute cannot be resolved.

The Lagan Valley MLA said: "Caitríona Ruane must act quickly and decisively to ensure that our childrens' education is not disrupted.

"This crisis will be a severe test of the Minister's resolve. I would like to see her taking a more hands on role to resolve this dispute. She must offer to chair talks between the two sides to help secure a settlement.

"All the parties were crying out for devolution. We now have it and the Executive has the power to make the important decisions necessary to make our society run smoothly.

"It is no good the Minister expecting the Boards to solve the issue alone. It is her responsibility and she must solve it."

ENDS