Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to offer a few thoughts which may be of assistance to the Minister. Section 30(9) deals with ministerial appointments and states that one of the bodies to be appointed shall be "representative of business, industry and employers", that another shall be "representative of learners" and that another "shall be a body established for the purpose of representing the interests of persons engaged in the management of, or leadership in, recognised schools". On Second Stage I referred to the fact that among the 21 members there will only be two teachers and one learner. We want people with direct classroom experience. When the Minister or his successors are making their five ministerial appointments, provision should be made in this regard. There is a certain degree of demoralisation in the sector with regard to the fact that so many people outside it believe they can do the job better than a teacher in the classroom.