With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 together. Permission to close schools on Monday, 3rd October, 1977 was given to managerial authorities of schools in that part of the Archdiocese of Armagh, which is in the Republic of Ireland. I regret that I could not give it for the parts in Armagh and Tyrone. The managements that closed schools as a result of the GIS statement are being authorised to regard the day "as a day of exceptional closing". Permission to close schools on certain religious occasions is normally given at the request of the religious authorities and it would not be possible for me to specify such occasions as might arise in the future.
I do not consider that the amendment of Article 44 of the Constitution has any relevance to the granting of permission for the closing of schools for particular occasions.