Mr. Gerry Bennett:

There has to be a partnership approach. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien raised the issue of what was happening in Cork. We have a charter with five key elements, one of the elements of which is that we promote partnership in the school community. It is vital in any school that the parents have their say. There is a process in place to deal with matters that arise. In the case of an amalgamation, it can be the parents who instigate the idea of an amalgamation or some change in the status of the school. It is probably unlikely, but it could come from the parents. Normally in a situation where there is a change in status of a school, the board of management is asked to liaise with the parents' bodies and the teachers' bodies. The parents council has a statutory right under the education Act to be consulted on all matters to do with budgetary or other issues concerning the school. Certainly, the parents have a right to be consulted. They are one of the partners in the school and that is one of their rights. If the parents in Cork are opposed to the proposal, it falls. Schools are set up to serve children.