Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We welcome these amendments. As the Minister of State has suggested, my colleague had tabled amendments to make this point. I am glad the suggestions of Opposition parties are being taken on board and the numbers are being increased. I would like to comment on the most important aspect of the composition of the education and training boards. If the boards are to be enacted fully and effectively, there must be balanced representation. They should be composed of stakeholders in further education and training in our local communities who are motivated and committed. While I welcome the decision to increase the number of board members, that does not matter as much as the most important point, which is that those who come forward to serve on the boards must be committed to educational development, have experience in the relevant areas and have something to bring to the educational formation in the areas they represent.

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