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

As Minister, I want to be in a position to ensure that if we make provision for something, it will stand up to scrutiny and that the legal framework relating to it is correct. Through my officials, I established that the Education Act does not contain a provision with regard to establishing a new model of patronage at second level. We were, therefore, obliged to consult the Office of the Attorney General to discover how we might put in place a proper legal framework. The latter has now been put in place.

The position relating to second level is much different from that which obtains in respect of primary level. In the first instance, it is much more expensive to procure a site, much more land is required and the cost of building a school is high.

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