asked the Minister for Education why a letter from him regarding a change in the status of the post-primary school in Durrow, County Laois, was not issued to all interested Deputies for the constituency simultaneously following the authorisation of the change.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Durrow (Laois) School.
26.
Mr. R. Burke
It is the general practice to convey the Minister's decision at the same time to all Deputies who make representations in relation to a particular matter. Where representations have been made at some considerable time previous to the events connected with the procedures leading up to the decision, have been replied to at the time they were made and have not been renewed, it may however happen that a further reply is not issued when the decision is made. It must be appreciated that it is difficult to keep track of all representations received during a relatively long period of time.
In the present instance it was following consideration of the proceedings at a local meeting in Abbeyleix on 30th October, 1974, that the relevant decision in the case was taken. It was in response to further inquiries in the matter after the meeting from one particular Deputy that a letter was issued to him in due course informing him of the decision. I regret that the information was not conveyed at the same time to the Deputies who had made representations in the matter.
May we take it, then, that the local rumour that the information was supplied to Deputy Oliver Flanagan before it was given to the other four Deputies concerned, did not arise simply because the Minister had agreed with Deputy Flanagan on the contraceptive issue?
I got no reply at all. That is worse.
Mr. R. Burke
Deputy Connolly made no representations in the matter.
That is not so.
There is a malicious rumour circulating.