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

The Minister does possess such powers. I checked the position with the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, which forwarded to me a paper which categorically states that the Minister has the power to issue directives to schools in this regard. In that context, in 2001 the then Fianna Fáil Minister for Education and Science issued directives in respect of school uniforms to patron bodies. The current Minister also possesses that power.

I have been very complimentary about a number of the initiatives the Minister has brought forward.

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