Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The trustees of Seamount college gave ground by allowing for an intake last September. That was not part of the agenda when they made their announcement nearly a year ago. They have shown they are committed to allowing for the replacement of Seamount college. The Minister has made her commitment subject to the intake for five years. Why cannot the Minister give a commitment and show a positive response to their commitment, which was not available 12 months ago? Although three sites have been identified, the Department of Education and Science's planning section has made no response to examine them as an initial step. Why cannot the Minister indicate, through her actions, to the trustees and management board of Seamount college that she is prepared to provide second level education in Kinvara and cut out the delay tactics? If we can build hospitals in three years, why cannot we build a second level school for 600 pupils in Kinvara in three years?

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