Ms Sinéad Brett:

I thank Deputy Daly for his comments. I agree with my colleague Ms McElduff in respect of the comment made by Deputy Daly about boards simply rubber-stamping the decisions of principals. Deputy Daly is doing approximately 20,000 volunteers a grave disservice by making such a comment. Mr. Loftus from the Department has indicated that there is training for boards. It is not a one-person entity; it is a corporate entity. Members come together and make board decisions. I cannot agree with Deputy Daly's comment about boards simply rubber-stamping the decisions of principals.

Deputy Daly also made a comment to the effect that boards were not accountable. Boards are accountable to their patrons. One of the principal functions of boards is to manage the school on behalf of the patron. They are also accountable to the Department.