On 19 August 2008, Hayes used a report in the "Irish Independent" to say that immigrant children should be "segregated" until their English language skills match those of native children. His comments generated considerable debate in the days that followed. The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) described the idea put forward by Hayes as "discriminatory, inequitable and deeply flawed". He later apologized and spoke of his regret but insisted this "should not take away from the substance of what I said".