asked the Minister for Education if the regulations for national schools are currently under revision in his Department; when he expects the revision to be completed; and if he will afford the Dáil an opportunity to discuss and amend such regulations before they are promulgated in their final form.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National School Regulations.
13.
The code of rules currently in operation was published in 1965. Amendments made since then have been notified to school management authorities and to principal teachers by circular letter.
Preparation of an up-to-date version of the rules is in hands and my Department have invited the recognised bodies of management authorities and teachers to make submissions in this regard.
It is not possible to indicate at this stage when the process will be completed.
It has not been the practice to submit the draft regulations for discussion in Dáil Éireann before their promulgation.
Would the Minister agree that these regulations have, effectively, the force of law in the national schools and that it would be appropriate for him to bring them before the Dáil so that Deputies on all sides of the House can comment before they are finalised?
I am not a legal expert. I suppose in effect they have the force of law, although the lawyers with the keen long faces would probably make a meal of that statement if they got it into the courts. I am reluctant to say yes to the Deputy, although I believe that this is the place where matters of public importance should be discussed. As of now I could give no undertaking to depart from precedent in this.
Would the Minister agree that we are talking about regulations which govern the education of over half-a-million children?
Let us not be dramatic and let us not break out in a rash.
These regulations are very important to the welfare of the children and they should not be outside the scope of discussion in this House.
There are several methods by which any or all of these regulations can be brought before this House even if I do not bring them formally before the House.
Question No. 14.
Would the Minister consider it?