David Norris (Independent)

That is one of the most disgraceful responses I have ever heard. It is blatantly sectarian and a tissue of lies. I am beginning to wonder if there is not an agenda at certain levels within the Department among those who have the same view as Senator Bacik and I that sectarian education is not a good idea, who would like, by stealth and imposing their policy on a weak Minister, to extinguish the Protestant schools. I would like the Minister of State to pass this information - some of the figures - to the Minister. The total number of pupils in 21 Protestant voluntary schools is 9,500; the estimated total number of Protestant pupils attending is 6,600; the total number on a grant from the SEC is 2,850-----