asked the Minister for Education the total number of students who took French in the intermediate examination, 1974; and the number who took the alternative examination in that language.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - French Examination.
7.
Mr. R. Burke
The total number of students who took French in the intermediate certificate examination, 1974, was 26,799 of whom 2,485 students took the alternative examination in that language.
I want to get back to my question. Why was a 22-pupil school closed while a five-pupil one was kept open with only one child in each class?
One short supplementary on Question No. 5——
We have moved away from that question.
On Question No. 5 is it not the case that the amalgamation policy——
We have finished with that question.
We have not finished with it so far as I am concerned. I got no reply.
The Deputy has been holding up Question Time for the past 15 minutes.
It is not my intention to delay the House but I must have an explanation for the Minister's action. I am seeking a detailed reply.
If the Deputy persists in disrupting the business of the House in such a grossly disorderly fashion I shall have to ask him to leave instantly.
I am leaving the House in protest.
Instantly.
I suppose this is a victory for the Minister for Education.
Deputy Fitzgerald.
Arising out of Question No. 5——
The Deputy is forcing the Chair back.
You called me to ask a supplementary.
The Deputy is taking a mean advantage of the Chair in a situation in which there is gross disorder. I shall be glad to facilitate the Deputy on another occasion.
I was not elected to take a mean advantage of anybody but having been elected by my constituents, I demand the right to ask a relevant supplementary question.
The Chair sought to facilitate the Deputy at the appropriate time. It was not my fault that he was not heard.
It was not my fault either. I ask for the opportunity to ask a supplementary question on Question No. 5.
Go ahead. This is an impossible situation.
Arising out of Question No. 5, can the Minister say whether the document he is circulating to the House is a set of guidelines regarding the amalgamation of schools or whether it is a set of rigid conditions and, if so, if he will have power afterwards to change those conditions having regard to the circumstances of different areas? In other words, is there any point in having this document circulated?
Mr. R. Burke
That will be a matter for the opinion of Deputies when they have read the document. It is entitled "A Statement of Policy."
Question No. 6, please.
It is typical of the Minister's attitude not to answer questions.
Order, please. Would the Minister give the reply to Question No. 6 again, please?
Mr. R. Burke
The future of Loreto Convent is still being considered in conjunction with the overall provision to be made for secondary education for girls in Clonmel. A decision in the matter will be expedited as much as possible.
Question No. 7.
Mr. R. Burke
The total number of students who took French in the intermediate certificate examination, 1974, was 26,799 of whom 2,485 students took the alternative examination in that language.
Would the Minister agree that a language examination with an oral content is much more valuable and useful than a written examination?
Mr. R. Burke
The oral examination is a desirable adjunct but I would not like to suggest that one is more important than the other. They are both very desirable.
Surely the Minister is not suggesting that a written language examination is more desirable than or even equal to, a language examination in which there is an oral content.
Mr. R. Burke
On the contrary. The Deputy would hardly suggest to me that a language examination should be taken totally in an oral fashion.
No, but the question relates to the alternative examination. The Minister knows exactly what the Deputy is referring to. Is the Minister encouraging or discouraging the use of the alternative examination?
Mr. R. Burke
It is being encouraged as the Deputy will realise from the statistics available. In the past three years the numbers who have taken the alternative examination are 796, 1,757 and 2,485, respectively.
Question No. 8, please.
Can the Minister state the date on which the secondary schools were informed that the alternative examination would be available this year?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy requires that specific information, he might table a question to that effect.
Surely——
The Deputy must allow some progress to be made at Question Time.
——the supplementary I asked is relevant to the original question. Therefore, might one not expect the Minister to have that additional information in his brief?
Mr. R. Burke
The specific point made by the Deputy could be the subject of another question at a later stage.
Next question, please.
The supplementary is relevant to the question.
The Chair has allowed Deputy Faulkner a good deal of latitude.
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy puts down a specific question I shall let him have the information sought.
I am never disorderly in the House.
The Chair appreciates that.
Surely the Minister should answer relevant supplementary questions?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy wants this specific information he has asked for by way of supplementary, he should have tabled a specific question.
There is no point in putting down question when the Minister refuses to answer them.
May we have the next question, please?
The supplementary is very relevant.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
Is the Minister encouraging or discouraging the alternative examination? If this information is not in his brief it should be there.
Mr. R. Burke
I suggest to the Deputy that in seeking specific information he puts down specific questions.
What information did Deputy Connolly receive?
I have called the next question.
I am sorry if all this proves difficult for the Chair.