Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have a question of my own. Mr. Byrne mentioned different sectors at second level with regard to the structure of boards of management, with primary schools different again. With the VECs and now the education and training boards, there has always been a system of democratic representation. Councillors would have been on the VEC and members of the VEC, including those councillors, would be appointed to be members of boards of management. It is my experience that many councillors on VECs have a particular interest in the area and get very experienced with interviews, etc. I am not saying everybody is perfect in this regard. The democratic representation on boards of management recognises that schools are for the community and there should be some form of democratic accountability. The witnesses mentioned supports for the education and training boards but should all schools have that?