Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I am a genuine admirer of the Deputy's work and I wish him well.

While I can only talk about Tallaght, I want to thank those from Kerry, Castlebar and Navan who have been corresponding with me on this issue, some of whom are in the Visitors Gallery tonight. As Deputy Gogarty and others have said, there has been a high level of co-operation in constituencies on the special educational needs issue. I, along with the other Members from Dublin South-West, Deputies Rabbitte and Brian Hayes, have signed correspondence together pointing out our concerns about this issue to the Minister. Regardless of our political differences, it is important we work together on this matter, something which the community would want too.

I have known St. Joseph's school in Tallaght for many years. Many of its ex-pupils come to me for many reasons. It is important we show our support for it. I have attended the public meetings and the education committee meeting with NCSE. I met today with many of the parents and children affected outside of the House. I did not go out to get my picture taken but, as other colleagues did, to meet the people there. It is important we do that and listen to them. I compliment our colleagues, particularly Deputy Flynn, on the education committee under Deputy Gogarty's chairmanship which did a great job on this matter. They did not spare anyone and got the job done on that day. It is a great shame they did not get the answers they deserved. Deputies from Dublin South-West met the chief executive officer and principal officer of the NCSE the previous day. I hope this does not affect the issue but I was not very impressed by their failure to answer questions. I consistently made the point, including during a long conversation with the Minister on Monday, that I cannot understand how this can happen in a school situation. I discussed this point with Deputy Finian McGrath, whom I regard as an education expert and who is a former school principal.

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