asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to introduce an Education Bill to put our education system on a statutory basis; and if so, when the legislation will be introduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Education System Legislation.
7.
I have no plans at present to introduce an Education Bill for the purpose of putting the educational system on a statutory basis.
Does the Minister realise the importance of the reply she has given? How can she hope to have any educational plan and how can all those involved in education have an idea of their function, and co-ordinate their function and role, unless there is at least a White Paper to give an indication of the lines along which the Minister is formulating her educational ideas, which should result in an Education Bill? This country alone in Europe does not have such an Act——
We cannot have speeches.
Does the Minister intend to produce a White Paper of her plan for education for the future, or has she any plan?
I am not sure what the Deputy means because I have just produced a plan for education for the future. I do not consider that there is a need for an Education Bill as a top priority. I want to remind the Deputy that there are many areas covered by very distinct rules and regulations — rules of the national schools, rules and regulations for secondary schools and the Vocational Education Act, 1930. In the action programme we have mentioned new legislation for universities. I cannot accept what the Deputy says, that we need an Education Bill.
The Minister's latter reply indicates the need for an Education Bill. Does she realise that the various regulations and rules and bits and pieces of Acts need to be put together to co-ordinate education in this country, not in sectional areas——
We cannot have statements at Question Time.
Would the Minister not agree that her reply shows that there is a need for an Education Bill to bring all these matters together and give these regulations legal status?
I have already said that I do not see the need for such a Bill at this time.
When will the Universities Bill come before the House?
The Action Programme for Education indicated that new legislation would be considered. I am sure the Deputy is aware that before we proceed to such legislation we would need to have widespread discussions with the interests involved.
Is the Minister aware that a constitutional referendum was held to enable the passage of such a Bill through the House? Is she further aware that the heads of a Bill were prepared some time ago to enable the university legislation to get under way?
Is that not a separate question?
The Minister is challenging your position as Ceann Comhairle.