David Norris (Independent)

I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for this opportunity. Incidentally, I note that while I can usually understand Members who speak in Irish, the Senator spoke very fast and so I listened to the translation. I compliment the translator because the manner in which he kept up was superb.

I raised this issue earlier, which is the reason Senator Ó Clochartaigh generously offered me a little time on this issue. The points I made were that in the first instance, it is a unique location. Second, this school has distinguished itself in an extraordinary manner by winning prizes, such as second prize in the Ericsson national science competition. This tiny little school, located out on Inis Meáin on the Aran Islands, has won several other distinctions and had been praised highly by the Department's own inspectorate. The population there fluctuates and by September of next year, it will again have risen above eight pupils. The special rule was made by a previous Government that the qualifying level should be reduced for the special circumstances that apply on the Aran Islands. Senator Ó Clochartaigh and I are worried this may be altering. I see the Minister of State is shaking his head and I am glad to put that on the record. Well done. However, the number of pupils will rise to eight again and it is vital this school is maintained, regardless of whether the numbers fluctuate. My clinching argument is those pupils feed into the secondary school, which is a major and comparatively recent achievement for this island. It would be appalling if, in circumstances in which islanders have just reached the point at which children are not obliged to travel to the mainland, they must recommence so doing, because that would dishearten the islanders. There is a very strong case in this regard.

I visited the Aran Islands during the presidential campaign and was on Inis Mór, to which I had not been previously. While listening to people there, the point they were making was they are a special case and I believe this to be true. If one is committed to the preservation of something that is extremely precious in respect of our natural, cultural heritage and of our way of life, special conditions must operate. In conjunction with Senator Ó Clochartaigh, to whom I am grateful for the opportunity to say these few words, I appeal to the Minister of State to preserve this school and to make special arrangements.