Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the Minister for her reply. Does the Minister, as outgoing Minister for Education and Skills, accept in principle that it is desirable to have parental choice in our education system? If so, does she believe this should be extended in the primary area where Educate Together has already established a clear position? Does the Minister, as a person with expertise in education, recognise that parental choice and, by implication, competition is a spur to good overall educational outcomes across the entire spectrum? On that basis, is it the Minister's intention to apply the model applied in Gorey to every other new post-primary school, in respect of which Wexford VEC was able to deploy resources of the order of €50,000 to campaign for a referendum outcome? Is this what the Minister is looking for?

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