Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact the Minister said we need leadership on this issue, but I believe we need leadership from the Minister as well. I imagine the Minister is well aware that under the 1998 Act he has the power to issue recommendations on this or any other matter. This was last done in 2008 in respect of school uniforms. The recommendations issued in 2008 were not exactly progressive. One of the recommendations made for the current system was that school uniform policy should be left to schools, as before. However, the Minister has the power, by virtue of being Minister, to issue recommendations to change that. It is unfair to say that it is up to parents to mobilise. I understand that must be part of the process but the first step should involve the Minister issuing recommendations to various boards of management.

The other issue relates to voluntary contributions. The Department's discussion document on enrolment envisages the matter of voluntary conclusions being regulated by secondary legislation. Are there are any proposals by the Minister or the Department to introduce legislation on this issue?

See this speech in context