Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

When providing diversity and creating opportunities and places in areas experiencing significant stresses, particularly large urban areas, we must not forget the small rural school or that it is just as important as the necessity to provide places for children in large urban areas.

Much of what has been stated in the House has been informed, informative, balanced and sincere. The real message I have garnered from the debate is that the patrons provide education in the best interests of children. As the Minister for Education and Skills, my role is to ensure this situation continues and I look forward to determining how to advance the matter. I listened to the Deputies' opinions on how that should happen, but there is a widespread acceptance that the Lower and Upper Houses hold the role of the education of young people in the creation of citizens dearly. I hope that we will have further opportunities to discuss what the future should be. I will not approach it with a definitive decision, as it is an opportunity for Deputies to express their views. As former Ministers, some Deputies would know that lobbyists and representatives and not Members of the House get the first opportunity to say something. For this reason, I would like to start in the Chamber as opposed to the other way around.

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