Vol. 453 No. 3
128 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education, in view of the general dissatisfaction among all parties concerned in the dispute at St. Mary's national school, Ardara, County Donegal, if she intends reconsidering her decision not to set up an inquiry whereby witnesses could be summoned and give evidence under oath. [9241/95]
Following an investigation by an Assistant Chief Inspector in my Department into serious allegations made by parents and pupils in St. Mary's national school, Ardara, County Donegal, I set up the inquiry referred to by the Deputy. There is no legislation providing for statutory sworn inquiries in the case of primary schools. The capacity of the Ardara inquiry to investigate the allegations depended, therefore, on the willingness of all parties concerned to co-operate with its proceedings. To this extent, the inquiry was constituted along similar lines to the Kilkenny incest inquiry which carried out its investigation effectively and reported speedily. Unfortunately, the parents and pupils who made allegations in this case were not willing to co-operate with the inquiry as constituted. Accordingly, my legal advice was that the inquiry could not proceed as there would be no allegations to investigate. Reluctantly, therefore, I had to end the inquiry. The question of the fitness to teach in respect of a teacher is primarily a matter for the board of management and patron of the school concerned, as his employers. Any action now to be taken in respect of the teacher in this case is, therefore, a matter for the board of management and the patron. The matters of concern at St. Mary's national school in Ardara are currently before the board of management of the school. I understand that the board meeting convened on 18 May to consider the issues, was adjourned until 1 June next. In the interim I do not believe it is appropriate for me to comment further.
