Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and his officials. I look forward to the passage of the Bill, but a number of major issues have not been dealt with. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett mentioned the provisions of the Equal Status Act. I would be grateful if the Minister outlined his position on it and his intended approach in that regard because no amendments have been tabled. Clearly, it is the ghost at the banquet and the issue that is central to school admissions, but it is not dealt with at all. Many are waiting to see what will happen. In particular, in the past week many school patrons who have a legitimate interest in the legislation have been having an uncertain time because they do not know what the position will be. A consultation process is ongoing. This is as good an opportunity as any for the Minister to outline his position

Second, the amendment also relates to the definition of the "National Council for Special Education", NCSE. Some time ago I stated in the House that Fianna Fáil would not be prepared to facilitate passage of the Bill if a provision, which has widespread support among Opposition parties, was not inserted in that regard, but it has been ruled out of order in our amendments. It relates to giving the NCSE the power to mandate schools to establish special classes where it designates there is a need for it. That remains our position and I look forward to a constructive debate with the Minister on the issue. That has to happen and I understand he has given good consideration to the views that have been expressed on all sides of the political divide. We would like that provision to be included in the legislation. The NCSE would never use that power, but it would help a number of recalcitrant schools, particularly at second level, to provide the proper facilities for children for whom special classes may well be the answer. I do not wish to hold up the debate because otherwise we will be here until all hours.