asked the Minister for Education the status of the "Stanley Letter" of October, 1831; and of any subsequent amendments thereto, up to the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
360.
Written Answers. - National Schools.
359.
asked the Minister for Education the powers of the Board of Commissioners for National Education prior to the assumption of their functions by the Minister for Education, under the terms of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924; the authority for any changes made or additional powers exercised in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
361.
asked the Minister for Education the authority for the determination of the pay and conditions of employment of national school teachers, and for the payment of salaries and pensions directly to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
362.
asked the Minister for Education, with reference to his reply to Questions 21 and 22 of the 16 November, 1977, if he will state the terms and status of the Government decision of 1831; the precise status of the Commissioners for National Education when originally established, and any changes made subsequently; if he will specify the instruments conferring such status and making such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 359 to 362, inclusive, together.
The basic position in these matters was indicated in my replies to Questions Nos. 21 and 22 of the 16 November 1977.
The information now sought by the Deputy depends, in my view, on matters of judicial rather than administrative interpretation. In this connection I would refer him to the judgment of Mr. Justice Gavin Duffy in the McEneaney case of 1940. A copy of the relevant extract from the Irish Law Reports is available and I can, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, give a copy to the Deputy.