andDr. Cruise-O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if he will consider recommending the inclusion of the New Ulster Movement publication Two Islands or One for required reading on the civics course in schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Schools Civic Course.
41.
There are no prescribed texts for the civics course. The question of recommending this publication for the course does not, therefore, arise.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider recommending this book for required reading in schools, not necessarily for the civics course?
The Deputy's question relates to the civics course. The purpose of civics is to train young people in citizenship. If the Minister recommended certain books, from whatever source, I am quite sure that many Deputies would question that.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary read the book?
I have, indeed.
Would he personally be in favour of recommending it?
That is a different matter.
Would he be personally in favour of recommending it for required reading?
That does not arise on the question.
The Parliamentary Secretary is evading the question.
I am not. If the Deputy knew what a civics course involved he would not have asked the question in the first instance.
I am suggesting that it should be required reading in school. The Parliamentary Secretary did not read it.
I will test the Deputy's knowledge on that on another occasion. I may not make as much noise about it as the Deputy, but that does not mean I have not read it very carefully.