Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

We have no proof that those were the reasons for this decision. What happens when there is no transparency is that people lose faith in the political system and their Ministers. We all become tarnished by that, not just the Government of the day. I do not like this system. I like to see decisions taken for reasons over which a person can stand. I do not like to see a Minister appoint a consultant who makes a decision which is then disregarded by the Minister. On other occasions Ministers like to hide behind consultants' decisions or recommendations. However, we cannot find the reasons the Minister made this decision.

Why did he stand over an investment in St. Catherine's and then on the day following completion of the work make the decision to close the college? This reminds me of the €13 million spent by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about three years ago on a building in Mountjoy which still lies empty. Senator Feeney spoke about value for money. Did the taxpayers get value for money from the €1.3 million spent on St. Catherine's? Did they get value for money from the €13 million spent on the school in Mountjoy which still lies empty? Staff who were employed to go into that school are being paid although they are not carrying out their duties in the empty school.

When we have a process that does not show sound reasons for a decision and which does not include consultation with the interested parties before a decision is arrived at, we must be suspicious and lose faith in the system. The decision to close St. Catherine's showed total disregard for the Dominican Sisters and for the staff of the school who served the students so well over the years. Treating them in such a shoddy fashion undermines our political system and is unacceptable.

I can understand why the local politicians lobbied to have the school in Sligo. However, was that the only reason the Minister arrived at his decision? If so, he did not look at the overall picture to see how he could deliver the best education for those who want to study home economics. It would make sound economic and educational sense to keep a school of home economics in Dublin where we have one third of the population. I have young student children and live in an area in Dublin where there are many students. People resident in Dublin would prefer to stay in Dublin.