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

I also thank the Minister. Part of the problem is the fact that the Government is not geared up for the way the new politics is working. We are not doing this simply to get one over on the Minister. The Government tends to operate by taking advice on amendments from the Attorney General or the parliamentary counsel. They are then published, but we get a very limited opportunity to react afterwards. We have attempted to do so in an honest way.

I have been trying to get the entrance policy of my school for comparison purposes, but I have not been able to do so. We want to allow schools to continue what they have been doing. The Minister may say section 29 applies, but I have not come across cases where this has caused a problem. We do not want to cause problems and I agree fully with Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett that we do not want this to be used as an instrument of exclusion. That is the last thing I want to see happen.

The Minister's amendment is quite appropriate at second level. I do not see what the rationale is for prioritising those who are fluent at home if they have been to a Gaelscoil. At primary level, however, it is not just a question of access, it is also one of language planning. Will the Minister tell us whether the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has given any opinion on this matter? My colleague, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, makes the point strongly that it is not simply about school admissions or Gaelscoileanna. It is also about language planning and supporting families who speak Irish in the home. That is our objective on this side of the House. We want to encourage those children to keep it up and their efforts should be recognised. They should not be in danger of losing a school place.

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