Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am sure that is correct. This touches on the whole issue that comes up in regard to baptismal certificates, enrolment policies and preference being given. Maybe the Minister will agree with me that there has been a bit of a mini-calumny here because as I understand it, schools generally of whatever denomination are inclusive. Where there is a shortage of places, choices have to be made.

This is where I would fault the report somewhat in that it seems to wish to curtail the ability of schools to make particular enrolment choices. However, as important as it is to balance the need for diversity - maybe the Minister would agree with me that could be secured by certain protocols around quotas for non-traditional Irish communities, for example - it is also important to recognise that there are people, including non-Catholics, who might want to opt into a local Catholic school and it is easy to understand why a local Christian school wants to provide places to the people who most want that kind of education in the event of there being competition for places. I did not find that sensitivity present in the report.

Is enough being done to assess demand by the various school patronage bodies and by the Department? If there is a situation in Ashbourne where more than 100 people attend a meeting, want access to a Catholic school and are frustrated that they will not all be accommodated, it would seem there has been a lack of consultation somewhere along the line with a view to identifying what the patterns of demand will be in that particular area. Perhaps the Minister will comment on that.