Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

Apparently the matter is very complicated. I refer to schools and ownership of schools. The issue is important and we must address it. The Deputy suggested that because of its ownership, the church can willy-nilly sell a school. However, that does not take into account our lease arrangement with the church for these schools. For an order to sell a school it must be granted leave to sell by agreement with the Department. That clawback is in place for all the church properties. In that sense there is no chance of the Deputy's suggestion occurring.

New arrangements are in place, including the arrangement whereby the Department buys a site and leases it back to the patron and, therefore, retains total control of the situation. The Deputy's suggestion would have serious constitutional implications. If the church was unwilling to sell, there would be no obligation for it to do so. It cannot sell if it does not have our agreement. From my perspective, the whole system has worked exceptionally well. The Deputy referred to the ageing population, but we will introduce a new patronage model. We are seeking the agreement and co-operation of others.

See this speech in context