asked the Minister for Education whether he had consultations with the educational authorities before he released his scheme for lower cost secondary education; and, if so, the extent of these consultations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Low Cost Secondary Education.
31.
Mr. O'Leary
Mr. O'Malley
I have not yet released particulars of my new plan for post-primary education but propose to do so when introducing the Estimate for my Department. Before I announced my intention of introducing the new plan, the appropriate school authorities were informed of the proposed announcement. I have since had discussions with the Church authorities, both Catholic and Protestant, and a number of secondary school authorities have sent me their suggestions. These were taken into account in formulating the detailed proposals which were submitted to the Government.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Minister aware——
Have you any more policies today?
It took you a long time to make that silly crack.
Mr. O'Leary
Ours was out in 1963. Arising out of the latest suggestion, has the Minister seen statements by some of the educational authorities declaring their dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation? Does the Minister think that this feeling on their part that they were not consulted will jeopardise the success of whatever proposals——
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Mr. O'Malley
If the Deputy will cite cases in point, I shall deal with them.
Mr. O'Leary
I think it was Father O'Herlihy who made such criticism.
Mr. O'Malley
I will refer to that gentleman. The gentleman referred to was the Reverend T. A. O'Herlihy, President of the Catholic University School, who chose to criticise me as has been stated by Deputy O'Leary. This seems to be an annual occupational hazard of the said Reverend President. Last year my predecessor suffered an attack from the same source with regard to comprehensive schools. Now that the matter has been brought up, I might say that my predecessor received from the Provincial of the reverend gentleman's Order a letter of apology informing my predecessor that the Reverend T. A. O'Herlihy was not speaking on behalf of that Order. No doubt, in due course I will probably get a letter on similar lines.
It does not affect the veracity of what the reverend gentleman said.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Mr. O'Leary
The Minister must accept my sympathy with him in that he had not the privilege of disagreeing with a bishop as his predecessor had. In this case it is only a reverend gentleman.
Mr. O'Malley
Deputy O'Leary had better watch the bishops as I am sure he is on very dangerous ground.
Has the Minister any advice to offer?
Have you any more policies today?
When are you going to give an extra £5 or £7 per head for cattle?
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 32.