Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the content of his reply and I hope that the meeting sought can be arranged as quickly as possible. It could do an awful lot at this stage to resolve and explain the issues from both perspectives and that could be done in an amicable fashion. The longer issues of this nature are allowed to drag on, the more they exacerbate the situation. I welcome the Minister of State's indication of being willing, along with his ministerial colleague, to facilitate such an event.

As the Minister of State will be aware, there is an ongoing debate for the provision of a Gaelcholáiste in the general area as well. I emphasise that the demand is growing rapidly and much more rapidly than I thought. From the age profile of the people I saw at a recent public meeting in the town, there is a huge demand arising and it is coming much faster than was anticipated. I must say to the Minister of State that I fear for the Meath footballers in time to come because Kildare is ready and waiting to produce a new population to deal with that. On a more serious note, I ask that the Minister encourages all the parties concerned under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills to come together in the fashion I suggested.

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