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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Jul 1983

Vol. 344 No. 9

Written Answers. - National School Halls.

114.

asked the Minister for Education the reason political parties are not allowed the use of national school halls or meeting rooms for local cumann or branch meetings.

Rule 9 of the Rules and Regulations for National Schools dealing with the use of National Schools for Election Purposes is as follows:

9. (1) At a contested Dáil Election or Presidential Election or Local Election or at a Referendum, any room in a school may be requisitioned by the appropriate Returning Officer for such election, free of charge, for the purpose of taking the poll.

(2) A schoolroom may also be used for public meetings at reasonable times outside school hours by candidates at an election of members of Dáil Éireann between the issue of the writ and the day of the poll under the provisions of section 30 of the Electoral Act 1923 (see Schedule III).

(3) No political meeting may be held nor may any political business be transacted in schools, whether vested or non-vested, except as provided in sections (1) and (2) of this rule, and no meeting in connection with a local election may be held therein.

The stipulation in Rule 9 (3) is of a long-standing nature and it would not be appropriate to make an alteration to it without due regard to the views of the recognised school managerial and teacher organisations.

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