Results 13,221-13,240 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There is none planned at the moment.

Order of Business (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Whip will deal with that matter.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together. I agree that the issue of patronage and governance of our primary schools is important. In recent times the rapid pace of social and demographic change is reflected in a radically altered and more diverse society from which our school communities are drawn. Irish society will continue to change at pace in the years to come and our...

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is not my intention to establish a forum at this moment in time.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: On the issue of patronage, as the Deputy knows diversity can be addressed much more quickly, particularly in areas where we have greater growth.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am a great believer in a number of other things about which many people forget, which is that I would like to hear what the Members of this House have to say.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It would be very appropriate because we would have a diversity of views in this House on what should happen. Once the ten areas have been designated, I intend to meet the representatives of the Catholic Church. I believe the procedures must include not just patrons. As I have said, I believe in the representation of the Oireachtas Members.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I also believe that parents and the wider community-----

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----equally must be consulted.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: My issue with a forum is that we would have yet another forum, yet another two or three years of pontification and philosophy, following which we would revert to having no decisions. I certainly do not want to end up with no change and a lack of decision making.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Catholic Church, through Archbishop Martin, approached my predecessor. He was not in a position to advise my predecessor as to where he felt areas could be divested. My Department was asked to identify those areas-----

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----on the basis of certain criteria. That work is almost completed and will be completed, as I indicated, by the end of the month.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Yes, it will be published.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It will then go back to the Catholic Church as it is the patron that will need to divest itself of its patronage. I do not have a problem with hearing what all Members of this House have to say. There is diversity within the Deputy's party because people come from different perspectives and different geographical areas. There are younger Members of this House and older Members of the...

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There have been many forums set up on many occasions on many of these issues.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Unfortunately they have taken a considerable amount of time. I do not want to talk about theory, I want to talk about how this can be practically achieved. It is much easier to achieve in certain areas, such as my part of the world where there has not been a huge change in population or demographics. In trying to provide diversity, we must respect everyone's views. There are clearly many...

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: In the briefings I have received on discussions with the previous Minister, although the archbishop was anxious to make progress, with the reality of changes in dioceses and supports in the Catholic church and numbers, the church will not be in a position to continue. In those briefings, the archbishop spoke about divesting and we are anxious to pursue that, we are working on methods to...

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am not frightened of anything, I want to see how change can be achieved.

School Patronage (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The process will be very open.

Industrial Relations (6 May 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I believe that a high level of mathematical achievement is vital for Ireland and that we need to improve attainment levels in maths.