asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the critical financial position which has arisen in the non-fee secondary schools in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Secondary Schools.
23.
I have had representations from the school managerial authorities indicating that certain schools are experiencing financial difficulties.
The financing of private secondary schools must be viewed in the overall context of the moneys which have been placed at my disposal for the funding of educational services generally during the current financial year.
I am of course, concerned that appropriate financial provision should be available for these schools and I am having a review of the position made. It is too early to say yet however what steps, if any, I will be in a position to take to alleviate these difficulties having regard to the constraints of the present budgetary situation.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not the representatives of these schools have been able to convince the Minister that they are on the verge of bankruptcy and that they must withdraw from education if they do not get money immediately?
I understand the Minister has this matter under review and I am not in a position to make any further statement on the matter at this stage.
Question No. 24.
That is very unsatisfactory. In his reply the Parliamentary Secretary indicated that representations had been made to him by representatives of these schools. I am asking him now could he indicate whether or not they convinced the Minister they would be unable to carry on with the educational service they are giving? I think that is a fair question which warrants an answer.
The position is that I am not now able to give the Deputy a definitive statement as to what steps will be taken because the Minister still has this matter under examination.
A Cheann Comhairle, that is not the question I am asking.
Surely we are not going to have supplementaries posed for the third time?
A Cheann Comhairle, if one does not get an answer what is one supposed to do?
Deputy Colley, the Chair has no control over that situation.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary misunderstands my question. I am asking whether or not the Minister was convinced by the representatives of those schools that——
That is the third time the Deputy has put that supplementary question.
I think what is relevant is what the Minister is able to do about the situation.
Question No. 24.
Could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether or not he has indicated to the House that the present Government are not prepard to finance education in the fashion obtaining heretofore?
I have not indicated any such thing.
That was my interpretation of what he said.
A Cheann Comhin your capacity as guardian of our rights in this House, may I ask you: do you you regard it as a satisfactory performance by the Government in two very important areas—Industry and Commerce and Education—to send in here a Parliamentary Secretary who is obviously totally incapable and inadequate in answering?
The Chair has no function in that matter, Deputy Haughey.
He was never sacked or before the courts.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 24.
I am surprised at the Minister: that is not relevant.
The Deputy need not be a bit surprised.
We want the facts; smokescreens and red herrings are out.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Collins on a point of order.
If the Minister wants that sort of thing he will get it.
(Interruptions.)
I would ask Deputies to please restrain themselves.
I am not going to take any cheek here from a man in this country who said that prisoners have no rights; you Fascist.
I was never through the courts either.
It is a deliberate attempt to get away from the facts.
Deputy Collins on a point of order.
Is a Member of this House entitled to say what Deputy Haughey has said about the Parliamentary Secretary or a member of this Government? Is he further entitled to refer to a Minister in the fashion he did as a fascist?
He is, yes.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Chair please be allowed——
The Chair should not fall for this.
On a point of order——
I deprecate the introduction of points of order at Question Time. Deputy Cunningham, the Chair is on his feet. I deprecate the raising of points of order at Question Time in any event. Naturally, I cannot prevent Members from doing so. I would prefer to deal with points of order at the end of Question Time. However, the Deputy has raised a point of order. The reference to "fascist" attributed to a Member of this House is certainly such that it should be withdrawn. The other reference made by Deputy Haughey was, in my opinion, a political charge which is not uncommon in this House.
I suggest that my accusation that the Minister for Justice is a fascist is a political charge and I do not intend to withdraw it.
I have never been through the courts nor have I been sacked for treachery to the State.
The Minister should have resigned about four times if he had any decency or honour.
The reference "fascist" should not be applied to any Member of this House and it ought to be withdrawn.
You said it was political.
No, I did not. I said the earlier references by Deputy Haughey were a political charge.
They are getting away from the question. They have no answer.
Do you intend to take any action?
Hit me now with the child in my arms. That is the kind of government we have.
If I am in order, I should like to raise a point of order.
I shall hear the Deputy.
The replies given to questions on both Departments and by the Parliamentary Secretary, Deputy Bruton, does not satisfy Parliament, and is making a mockery of Parliament.
That is not a point of order.
I would ask if you could help us in this?
I have no function in the matter.
A mockery is being made of Parliament.
In view of the fact that it was the reflection cast by Deputy Haughey on me that started this whole thing off, I would like to say there is no Member of the House whose good opinion of me I would hold in lower esteem than that of Deputy Haughey.
It is a pity the Parliamentary Secretary could not answer the question as well as he answered that.