asked the Minister for Education if he has received a petition from the parents of children attending Toomore national school, County Mayo; if he will state the nature of requests or demands therein; if he has come to any decision in that regard; and, if not, when he proposes to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo School Petition.
40.
It has been represented to me on behalf of some of the parents whose children are attending this school that these children would make greater headway if certain subjects were not taught to them through Irish. I have been having investigations carried out into this matter. These investigations are not yet completed. I hope to have them completed shortly.
Is it not a fact that 12 of the heads of families with children attending this school have signed a petition and sent it to the Minister making certain demands in relation to the manner in which their children are being educated? Does the Minister not accept that the family is the fundamental unit in our society, and that the family is the primary and the natural educator of the children? What concrete investigations has he to make? Is it not constitutionally imperative on him to direct forthwith that the views of these parents should not only be respected but put into operation immediately?
The petition to which the Deputy refers was sent to the principal teacher of the school on the 18th of last month and was forwarded to me. I imagine that the Deputy does not seriously suggest that a matter such as this should be decided on the basis of a petition such as that, and that the wishes of the other parents should be completely ignored without any investigation whatever.
How many parents are involved?
The Deputy did not ask that question.
I did. The Minister should not be shying away from it.
The Deputy did not ask that question and if he wants that information——
The Minister should not get annoyed.
If the Deputy wants the answer to a question, let him ask it.
I was not told the nature of the requests or demands.
The Deputy was. I shall read it again if he likes: It has been represented to me on behalf of some of the parents whose children are attending this school that these children would make greater headway if certain subjects were not taught to them through Irish.
Some of the parents?
Yes. Is the Deputy now withdrawing his statement that he did not get a reply to that part of the question?
I am withdrawing nothing.
It is now clear that the Deputy's line is——
The Minister lost his temper because he was caught out.
The Deputy really ought to see me when I lose my temper if he thinks I lost my temper now.
I remember one occasion on which the Minister lost his temper. It did not pay him.
I should like to warn the Minister that the parents of the children attending Toomore national school might lose their tempers.
Does the Minister consider that it is a fundamental right of parents to have whatever type of education they consider suitable for their children? Will he take the necessary steps to speed up the decision in relation to this case because heat is being engendered in connection with it, and it is important that the matter should be resolved quickly?
I have already said I hope to have my inquiries completed shortly. As to the first part of the Deputy's supplementary, that is a question that cannot be simply answered. Of course I accept the principle as laid down in the Constitution with regard to parents' rights.
Hear, hear.
The Deputy will understand that there are limitations on this proposition.
What limitations?
For instance, if certain parents said they did not want their children to be taught anything whatsoever except how to play with plasticine, clearly we could not accept that. There are limitations on the principle, but of course I accept the principle as laid down in the Constitution.