Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That was an extraordinary answer. There was a lot of information and confusion. I am going to have to follow up with some other questions. The Minister spent the majority of the time talking about the patronage process. Frankly, that is the least of our concerns. Our main concerns relate to the premises for the schools. He also seemed to indicate a rowing back on this particular commitment. I would like to clarify that point. He mentioned three options: using existing unused capacity; extending existing capacity; or the provision of a new school. Is that in respect of the 42 schools announced a month ago? Is the Minister announcing an expansion of existing schools and not new schools? Is that what he is saying in that answer?

I can talk about my own constituency until the cows come home. What is the position in Dunshaughlin, in Laytown, in Drogheda, in Duleek and in all of the schools? Parents are wondering where are these schools and what is the update from the Minister. He has not given me an update. He merely set out the patronage process which we know. That will follow on from the most important work of finding the places to put these schools.

See this speech in context