With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
In regard to national schools, while it may be that in some schools the children are encouraged to wear special school uniforms, I am not aware that it is the practice in any national school to compel pupils to wear them. Such practice would be contrary to the official regulations for national schools. If any case of compulsion to wear uniforms in a national school is reported to me, I will have the matter investigated.
Secondary schools are private institutions and questions connected with fees, uniforms, etc. are matters between the conductors of the schools and the parents of the children concerned. I have no function in relation to them.