Mr. John Kearney:

We from the NCSE have always enjoyed engagement with the Deputy and his interest. His practitioner experience as a teacher is certainly telling in terms of development of special education in this country. The legislation obviously centres on the section 37A process. It is a process that none of us would like to invoke with a view to delivering special education places for children. However when weighing up the needs of parents and the requirement of special class places, ultimately if the legislation has to be invoked, it is invoked. It has been invoked three times. This is our third time actually to invoke it. On one occasion it was four months in terms of delivery.

On another occasion, it was much longer than that. It has to be streamlined. Sharp, decisive action is required on occasion. None of us is party to the exact detail of the special education legislation being considered this morning, but sharp, decisive action is required in terms of giving assurances to the parents. Many members have articulated well the fears, anxieties and apprehensions of the parents in terms of lack of clarity and special class placements. If it takes legislation to progress that with individual schools and to provide that degree of certainty to parents, then so be it.