asked the Minister for Education if he has taken any steps to resolve the dispute at Saint Mary's College, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway College Dispute.
20.
The contract of employment of teachers in Coláiste Muire, Galway is with the authorities of the school, which is a private institution recognised as a secondary school in accordance with the relevant official regulations. The Minister for Education may not intervene in a dispute between the teachers and the school authorities unless the official regulations authorise him to do so. I do not consider that it would be helpful for a resolution of the present dispute for me to make a statement in relation to it at this time other than to say that I have taken such action as I considered appropriate in the matter.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that seeing the Minister for Education has overall responsibility for education in the country he should be exercising himself at the moment to try to settle this dispute, as so many pupils had to go home and have not received any education in the last term?
I understand the Minister for Education has considered this very carefully but I am not in a position, by virtue of the consideration the Minister has given to the matter, to go any further than the statement I have made, which is the best statement to ensure a resolution of the dispute.