David Norris (Independent)

This is a very important motion and I commend Senator Power for her powerful contribution. I also commend her party colleague Senator Darragh O'Brien who made a passionate defence of Church of Ireland schools which will be particularly affected by this measure on small schools. I am particularly pleased he did so because if I had been the first speaker to raise this issue it might appear as if I were simply taking a sectarian interest. I personally believe education, in both North and South, should be non-denominational. My church does not agree and neither does the Roman Catholic Church but that is my view. It is important these schools as they exist require a degree of reasonable and just treatment.

My Fianna Fáil colleagues are correct that this Private Members' motion is not as severe as the one tabled in the Dáil. I understand why the Government feels it necessary to amend it, however, because there are certain small elements in the motion with which it cannot agree. For example, the motion states Seanad Éireann "is deeply concerned that budget 2012 contained a wide range of regressive cuts to education services". One can hardly expect a Government to accept the language of "regressive cuts" even if that is what one thinks. I know it is a ping-pong ball; if the Government were on this side of the House that is exactly what it would say.

We must, however, put the pupils and the welfare of the education system at the centre of the debate without resorting to point scoring. There are several provisions in the motion which could be examined between the Whips. I would prefer if there were not a vote on this later, not because I will not be in the House - I will be and I will vote later - but because we should be together on education.

It is true the intention to close small primary schools will particularly affect Gaeltachts, rural areas and Church of Ireland schools and those of other non-Roman Catholic communities. This will be a great pity. I accept we are in a difficult budgetary situation but education is the key to recovery. Primary education is the building block which is necessary for our country's recovery. It is a great shame the modern language in primary school initiative will be abolished. The phased increase in the pupil threshold for the allocation of classroom teachers in schools with fewer than 86 pupils will have a major impact on smaller schools. The Church of Ireland bishops will meet with the Minister for Education and Skills to express their concerns about the impact the last measure will have on their schools. I hope there will be a positive outcome from these representations.

I understand the difficulties the Government faces and that there will be an increase of 70,000 pupils in the next six years which will put the system under considerable strain. However, it must be remembered it is at primary school that the whole education process begins. The current pupil-teacher ratio allows for individual growth of a child's interest in the world and the growth of their skills. Up to 40% of primary schools are threatened by the budgetary measures but there has been no proper or convincing cost-benefit analysis. These cuts will affect front line services. Is it possible to streamline what are called back-office functions instead?

I have received a number of submissions not just from Church of Ireland schools but from rural areas on these measures. One person wrote to me that there is a general feeling the Government does not care about rural Ireland but instead is prepared to sacrifice our rich culture and historical heritage in favour of a yellow pack, "pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap" approach to education where the almighty dollar or euro takes precedence over the needs of the community. The writer feels their children are second-class citizens, just numbers and statistics to be moved around. I do not know to which party, if any, this person belongs. However, even to those who live in cities like me, many people are aware rural constituencies feel they are being sidelined. Rural areas have already seen a reduction in postal services, banking and policing.

I wish to have the matter of the effect of these measures on St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir School transmitted to the Minister for Education and Skills. It is the oldest school in the country, over 600 years old. In addition to a general education provision, its particular purpose is to help the cathedral's choir going. I must declare an interest as I attend service there every Sunday. Although it has a Church of Ireland ethos - a word about which I am hesitant as I am a secularist even though I am a believing Christian - membership of the school and of the choir is not limited to members of the Church of Ireland. Many of our best pupils and choristers are members of the Roman Catholic Church. It may well be seriously threatened by these measures. The choir is a unique institution being the only male cathedral choir with boys' and men's voices together. It is part of a tradition which would be a real pity of it were lost. I hope it can be treated sensibly.