Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

It is important that we should engage in this ongoing dialogue, rather than just having people sitting around at a forum. It is hoped that all of the different groups will realise what their counterparts, particularly the patron bodies, envisage for the future of education in this country.

We must consider a number of key areas. There is, for example, the issue of choice for parents. However, choice cannot be contemplated without there also being the capacity to deliver. That balance must be considered as part of the argument.

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