asked the Minister for Education the co-operation that exists between city libraries and colleges of technology.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Colleges of Technology.
84.
Mr. R. Burke
The libraries in the Dublin colleges of technology have been provided through the co-operation of the public library service of Dublin Corporation. The corporation provides the books, the cataloguing services and the library staff and the cost of these services is recouped by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
85.
asked the Minister for Education why a lecturer (name supplied) in the Geological Department, College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin, has threatened to resign.
Mr. R. Burke
The question whether or not to resign his post of lecturer was a matter for decision by the person concerned and his employment contract is with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee. I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to make any comment in the matter.
Would the Minister not agree that this is washing one's hands of a serious problem and that this course serves a need in the country at the moment? Would he not undertake to see that this course is continued in the College of Technology and that pupils who want to equip themselves with the expertise to work in the new mining developments will have such an opportunity?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy must not have heard my reply. I said I did not think it would be appropriate for me to make any comment on the matter.
Does the Minister not see my point of view that I think it would be appropriate for him? If it is not appropriate for the Minister, for whom is it appropriate?
Mr. R. Burke
Would the Deputy not agree that my point of view that it is not appropriate is of equal validity with his point of view?
I do not. If I had a responsibility for the development of education I would take it. I am asking the Minister to take some steps to see that this appropriate course by a highly qualified man continues and that whatever conditions are necessary to enable him to continue his course should be fulfilled by the Minister or the vocational education committee.
Mr. R. Burke
I will make the Deputy's point of view known to the vocational education committee.
86.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the breakdown which has occurred in many educational courses in the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin.
87.
asked the Minister for Education why students at the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin, caused the college to close down on 6th February, 1974; if he has received any requests from the students; and the action he intends to take to remedy the situation.
Mr. R. Burke
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
Responsibility for the administration of the College of Technology, Bolton Street, rests with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee. Any proposals from the committee will receive my careful consideration.
It is not for me to express an opinion as to why the students took any particular action. Representations by them should be submitted to the committee in the first instance and the committee would then be in a position to take such representations into account in relation to any proposals which they may place before me.
Would the Minister accept that as Minister for Education he should have a very special interest in Bolton Street?
Mr. R. Burke
I have.
Would the Minister say whether, since his appointment as Minister, he has visited Bolton Street?
Mr. R. Burke
I have.
Will the Minister say, arising from those visitations, what recommendations he has to make?
That is a separate question.
I did not get an answer to my question.
The Chair pointed out that the Deputy's question did not arise on the question asked.
With every respect to the Chair, I suggest that it was most relevant to the question asked.
The Chair has already ruled on this matter.
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows that at the moment we are in the position that nobody would be welcome in Bolton Street where there is a complete breakdown. unless the Minister for Education indicates a real interest. If that is not worthy of the Minister's attention to questions in this House I must repeat that he is not worthy of the position he holds.
You would love a breakdown.
Would the Minister indicate the proposals he has with regard to improving the facilities in Bolton Street?
Question 88.