Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I want to acknowledge that the parent voice is hugely important. I have seen the benefit of it throughout the past number of years. There is no question whatsoever in relation to that. I also want to make the point that parents with children in primary school often also have children in post-primary school. However, that is neither here not there. The Chair suggested that all of the issues have been satisfactorily resolved. If all of the issues that had arisen were satisfactorily resolved, we would not be in the position we are in currently. The fact is that no opportunity was being provided by the NPCPP to co-operate with a necessary review of governance. An organisation has to make itself available to any type of governance review where State funding is on the table. It speaks volumes that this organisation was given latitude of six to seven months to make itself available to do what needed to be done and to co-operate with that review.

It is not a decision that was taken lightly. Considerable latitude was given to the NPCPP to do what every other organisation in receipt of State funding must do when asked to, that is, to make itself available to a review. Not doing so left us in the current unenviable position. I am at a loss to understand why there was a lack of co-operation in that respect and why it could not have been done. As I have said, numerous meetings were held and the council was given many opportunities to make itself available and to co-operate with the review. At no point over the six or seven months was it prepared to do that. As a consequence, the review has taken place and the draft review has been presented to the council for its comment. It is my understanding that, even at this point, no comment has been made on the draft review. I am at a loss to understand how the Chair cannot understand the obligation on bodies to make themselves available for an appropriate review of governance, which takes place in many situations in light of our obligation to ensure all State funding is appropriately managed. I am also at a loss to understand why that could not have taken place.