Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did not bring up his name. I never invoked his name. My right honourable colleague from County Kildare mentioned him. The Bill makes provision for single-sex schools and denominational schools to reflect certain things in their admission policies. Certainly, we must allow them to do so. I have sat on boards of management that have had to expel pupils. I am sure other Deputies in the Chamber have done likewise. It was not very nice or pleasant. We had gone through all the different processes, involving accommodation and calling in the parents, etc. It is a complex and difficult issue.

I have received a good few e-mails in recent days from people who think the baptism barrier is the only issue. I can say without fear or favour, or without trying to insult anyone, that they are sadly mistaken. Like the Minister, his officials and Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin and the other Deputies who are present, I am aware that the baptism barrier is one of the least of the many complex problems and issues in this area. We must support and salute the lay members of boards and parents' councils and the lay fund-raisers who keep schools going. Donogh O'Malley brought in free education, but it is not free anymore. It is very difficult to run a school because of the costs and difficulties involved. I refer, for example, to the recent strike, the problems that can be caused by bad weather, climatic conditions and accidents and incidents in the school and the need to get small school grants to pay for repairs. I salute the community volunteers, múinteoirí and other people who work in our schools. The bad ones have been dealt with, in the main. Obviously, some more need to be reflected on and dealt with in a reasonable way. We cannot have poor teaching standards in schools, regardless of any baptism clause. There might be a clause of the United Nations in the school, but that will not remove bad teachers. We need to focus more on the delivery of a fair, free, all-embracing and engaging education for na daltaí go léir from the cradle to the grave. That is what I say. I will rest my case and not cause the Leas-Cheann Comhairle any more annoyance. We need to make haste slowly. The removal of certain clauses that people are hung up on will not get us anywhere.

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