Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to be able to make a brief contribution to today's debate. As a parent, like other speakers, I know that what most parents and families want is a proper grounding and education for children who attend all kinds of national schools. The VECs have a proven track record over the past 80 years in meeting the responsibilities and needs of colleges. A model has been set out that can only enhance the national school sector.

There are a few bad apples in every bunch and some have brought the name and reputation of the Catholic faith into disrepute. I pay tribute to the vast majority of Catholic brothers and sisters who made a significant contribution to the education of our children over generations from the last century onwards. As others have said, when the State was unable to provide this education, such people were the champions of the poor and all disciplines in life. They provided significant service to the State which cannot be wiped away because of the actions of the few.

I have personal experience of the issue as a parent and as a member of a board of management of a national school and VEC community college. I know the roles of the volunteers, along with their teaching colleagues and other school staff, clergy and patrons. Much work is done on a voluntary basis. Their contribution cannot be overstated as it was fair and without bias. With the significant changes in recent decades, particularly the last decade, in health and safety, welfare and education Acts, there has been much pressure on those volunteers to maintain and run the schools, often with little training. They gave their time to the community.

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