Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I propose at the outset to give an outline of the issues surrounding this catchment area question and then to make a comment or two. First, I will give the Minister of State the factual background, as I am aware of it and as I have been briefed on it. I have carried out all possible investigations.

In mid-October, the principal of St. Aidan's comprehensive school, Cootehill was made aware of an incursion into the catchment area of her school, that is, a change of pick-up point and drop-off point from the Five Crosses in the Ballybay catchment area down to Latton national school, which is in the Cootehill catchment area. There had been a move approximately 1 km from the Five Crosses to a pick-up point outside Latton national school and Latton church.

When the principal initially inquired about this, she was told the bus was turning only. She went out and observed it herself on a couple of occasions and she found that approximately ten students were using the new pick-up point.

When the principal telephoned Bus Éireann after her inspection, she was told the chief executive officer of Monaghan VEC, who is transport liaison officer in Monaghan, had directed Bus Éireann to cease using the Five Crosses point for pick-up and drop-off due to health and safety considerations.

After approaches from the principal, the County Cavan transport liaison officer, Mr. Colm McEvoy, issued an instruction to CIE to have the incursions stopped. On 20 January last, the principal was advised by Mr. McEvoy, the CEO in Cavan, that, in fact, the incursion had not stopped. The transport liaison officer had contacted both Mr. Gerry Gannon, general manager of Bus Éireann school transport section, and Mr. Hogan in the school transport section of the Department of Education and Science.