Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Ó Foghlú. At a recent meeting, Mr. Alan Mongey of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said something that surprised me slightly. He said that, if parents took their children abroad during the summer, they should not expect the school gates to be open to them in September. Will Mr. Ó Foghlú confirm that, if children go on holidays in accordance with the laws of this State, they will be able to avail of an education, which is their right, in September?

That is presuming they adhere to all guidelines. At the moment, if one goes to Northern Ireland, goes on holidays from there and comes back there is no requirement to self-isolate. Northern Ireland has now opened up to a wide variety of countries across the world and the advice is that there is no need for self-isolation for people who return via Northern Ireland to this State. It seems to be increasingly unworkable. Can children expect to receive an education if their parents take them abroad for holidays?