Video: Special needs education anger forces retreat by Fianna Fáil TDs from Dáil demo

» Mark Moloney

Hundreds picket Leinster House to coincide with debate in Dáil chamber

FIANNA Fáil leader Micheál Martin and other senior party figures were forced to leave a demonstration against Government cuts to special needs education provisions, with demonstrators accusing the party of hypocrisy.

Angry teachers and parents confronted members of the party, pointing out that it had been their government that had first brought in cuts targeting Special Needs Assistants and other special needs education services.

Hundreds of demonstrators picketed Leinster House to coincide with a debate on the issue in the Dáil chamber. The protest went ahead despite Education Minister Ruairí Quinn's announcement yesterday to row back on some of the cuts.