James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

On 11 November, I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle about a debate that took place here on 4 November. During that debate the Minister for Health and Children told me I was wrong to say that the HIA informed me that 12,000 people had cancelled their health insurance. On the same day I produced a response to a parliamentary question by Deputy Richard Bruton, which clearly showed that 21,000 people were involved, so my claim was accurate. I have written to the Ceann Comhairle to ask the Minister for Health and Children to correct the record of the Dáil, yet she has failed to do so. I wonder what arrangements the Ceann Comhairle will put in place to address that.

The second issue I wish to raise concerns pending legislation. It relates to a discussion we had earlier. The education (patronage) Bill is to come before the House, yet there is no provision in it for Educate Together to be patrons of a secondary school. Currently, however, some school patrons have been found to be negligent in their duty to child care. In the view of many people, they are unsuitable to be patrons if the current personnel remain in place. I find it difficult to accept that people who are supposedly the moral guardians of our society, do not look to their consciences, as to whether they are right or wrong, and make their decisions on that basis, rather than trying to place the responsibility on the laity or priests. As others have said, it is up to the church to sort out its own. However, I would have expected more from individuals within the church who have let themselves and their colleagues down. They should act in conscience.

I hope the forthcoming education (patronage) Bill will allow Educate Together to become patrons of secondary schools. Educate Together has a long 30-year history of involvement in primary schools. It has been congratulated on its work by President Mary McAleese, and I see no reason why it should not be afforded this opportunity in the proposed legislation.

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