Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I take it the Taoiseach is not giving consideration to a process that would lead to the creation of a situation across the primary school sector whereby there would be democratic control. I also take it that Dr. Martin's invitation has not yet prompted the Government to pay any serious attention to this important development. Will the Taoiseach provide an indication that during the summer recess he and the Minister for Education and Science will pay such attention to this issue? Will he instruct the relevant personnel in his Department or the Department of Education and Science to investigate how this process might be brought into play? The Government should publish a Green Paper, which could be debated by the Houses of the Oireachtas, on this extremely important matter.

In light of the fall-out from the Ryan report into institutional child abuse and the impending publication of a report on clerical sexual abuse in the Dublin diocese, will the Taoiseach ensure that in circumstances where religious bodies are obliged to dispose of property and lands in their control, this will not impact on educational facilities that are currently made available to the State by the religious bodies or the Catholic church itself? Until such time as the Taoiseach is prepared to grapple with this issue in a serious way, the primary focus must be on ensuring that there will be a seamless and unbroken provision of education for children. Will the Taoiseach further ensure that if a consideration of the changes Dr. Martin has invited - which I support - is entered into, this will focus on making any new arrangements child centred?

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