asked the Minister for Education when he will be in a position to make a statement concerning his Department's plans for the development of community schools concerning which a report recently appeared in a national newspaper.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Community Schools.
24.
Discussions are at present proceeding with the various interests involved and I cannot at this stage say when I will be in a position to make a further statement about the matter.
Is the Minister aware that it was also stated in the same article that these proposals were first communicated to the hierarchy? Can the Minister state if this is so? I have nothing against the hierarchy—everyone knows I am a great bishop's man— but it seems a rather odd way to initiate a major change in the Irish educational system.
I have stated in the Dáil previously that this was so.
Which hierarchy?
The Catholic hierarchy. They were the ones involved in the various groups we had in mind.
Would it not also involve the Protestant hierarchy?
Not at that point.
Community schools would involve the Protestant hierarchy.
The basic consideration at that point related to certain schools and they all involved the Catholic hierarchy.
The Minister is saying it definitely would not involve Protestant schools?
I did not say that I would not have discussions with everybody in connection with this. In fact, in reply to Deputy Thornley I said I was having discussions with all interested parties.
Would the Minister not agree that it would have been courteous to send them copies?
At that stage they were not involved.