Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It has not arisen in the context of discussions that happened between my Department and the colleges where the specific question was asked. I support the colleges in having an inclusive environment. As the Deputy knows, the Department has been involved in some curricular development work with Educate Together and with the provision of new modules, all ongoing. As I indicated, we are going to seek advice from the Attorney General but while waiting for that advice we will work towards the formulation.

Not only do I support this issue but so do the colleges which are very positive about the way in which this matter was raised with them. I do not believe I should issue a diktat to them. It is a matter of working together to see whether certain procedures need to be set up to allow this to happen. As I indicated, one college is moving towards that at present.

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