Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire Oideachais as ucht teacht isteach í féin chun an t-ábhar seo a phlé. Is mór an trua orm an rún seo a chur os comhair na Dála, cé go gcaithfidh mé a rá go raibh sé ar an gclár le tamall fada. Beidh fhios ag an Aire agus go deimhin ag an Teach féin go bhfuil scéal Choláiste Móibhí i mbéal an phobail de bharr ócáid dhúnadh an choláiste breis is seachtain ó shin. Bhí mé i láthair agus bhí an séipéal a bhíodh ag Coláiste Móibhí in aice le Coláiste Oideachais Eaglais na hÉireann plódaithe le scoláirí ó na fichidí ar aghaidh go dtí an lá inniú. Ócáid an-bhrónach a bhí ann agus dúradh roinnt rudaí ar an ócaid sin.
I cannot accept a number of the statements that were made on that occasion and that is why it is important for me to air what was said and the decisions that were taken which I believe will have a negative impact on our education system in general.
It was stated that part of the reason for closing Coláiste Móibhí was that the standard of Irish in Church of Ireland secondary schools was improving. I do not have evidence of that and I would like the Minister to tell me if she has such evidence. It was also said that the qualifications attained, particularly in Irish, by students at Coláiste Móibhí were perhaps too high and that, because of our points system, students were deciding to take other courses in universities rather than taking up the teaching profession. It was felt, therefore, that the purposes behind the setting up of Coláiste Móibhí was not being served.
It is regrettable that the achievement of high results is considered a penalty. It was stated also that an additional lecturer would be provided for the Church of Ireland college of education which would, in some way, constitute a replacement for the closure of a college. That defies belief entirely.
I expect this decision by the Department of Education was financially motivated, although I understand ways are sought to save money wherever possible. I am concerned, however, that a similar argument would be put forward for the closure of a minority institution and I am sure many others throughout the country fear similar treatment from the Department. I would like the Minister to give some assurance that this policy will not be continued.
I want to ask the Minister four questions arising out of this decision. First, is the Minister amenable to the general provision of Irish medium education outside the majority Roman Catholic management system? Second, will she measure the trends in the standard of Irish teaching in primary schools under Church of Ireland management so as to assess whether her decision has had no effect, a negative effect or an effect which I would find difficult to understand, a positive one? Third, what are the circumstances in which Coláiste Móibhí could reopen or a similar institution that would serve the needs previously served by Coláiste Móibhí? Fourth, has the Minister taken note of how this decision is perceived in Northern Ireland where the issue of minority rights is important and which gave rise to heated argument and, quite often, tragic consequences in the past?
If this decision had been taken north of the Border there would have been an outcry. I am saddened that this closure occurred at a time when, for example, Meanscoil Béal Feiriste enjoyed the support of all parties in this House. Such was that support that a train was organised to travel to Belfast prior to the Northern Ireland Department of Education giving the go ahead for funding to maintain that minority school. The decision to close Coláiste Móibhí would not have been taken if the school was located in the North.
