John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and will respond on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, who is in China signing an agreement on the mutual recognition of qualifications between Ireland and China.

Comhairle was first established in March 2002 and is composed of a chairperson and 22 representative members. Membership of the council was agreed in 2001 following consultations with relevant interests. The board is composed of nominees of Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta, gaelscoileanna, teachers, parents, school management, teacher unions, Foras na Gaeilge, and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. The composition of the council also provides for two nominees of the Minister and two members co-opted by Comhairle, who are to have a particular knowledge of and expertise in the study and research of the Irish language. The first members of Comhairle were appointed on 12 March 2002 for a four-year term. The nominations in respect of teachers, parents and school management were provided by gaelscoileanna and Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta when the body was first established. The first four year term of office of Comhairle will end on 11 March 2006.

It was agreed at the autumn 2005 meeting of Comhairle, at the request of two organisations, that the nominations for future elections of the parent, teacher and management representatives of Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna would be organised directly by Comhairle. A document outlining a five stage process was approved at the board meeting of 24 November 2005. The first stage was for a letter to issue to the chairperson of all boards of management of Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools seeking details of the representatives of parents, management and teacher interests on the boards so that elections could be organised. A copy would also be sent to the school principal. The second stage was for a letter to issue to the chairperson of all boards of management of Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools enclosing individual letters to each named representative of teachers, management and parents, seeking nominations of candidates seeking election. This would seek details such as the signed agreement of the person seeking election together with his or her proposer and seconder.

The third stage was for preparation of separate ballot papers listing the candidates proposed for election to the management, teacher and parent seats on Comhairle in respect of Gaeltacht and all-Irish schools. These were to issue in registered post to the chairpersons of the school boards of management addressed to the individuals named from stage one, with a copy also sent to the school principal. An advertisement was also to be placed in Láand Foinse. Stage four was that on the prescribed date, the votes would be counted in the presence of a scrutineer and any other voters who wish to be present. The final stage was for the results to be posted on Comhairle's website and successful candidates notified. These rules were prepared by a sub-committee and later approved by the board of Comhairle, but as the election progressed, it emerged that they were not sufficiently detailed to deal with a number of issues which subsequently arose.

Given that there has not been sufficient time for these specific issues to be discussed and agreed in advance of the election, the Minister for Education and Science has agreed to extend the term of office of the current board for a further period as an exceptional matter. This will allow time for Comhairle to engage in detailed discussions with the relevant interests to allow for the election procedures to be specified in greater detail and agreed with the parties concerned. I thank the Senator again for raising this issue.