Vol. 508 No. 4
228 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will expedite the examination of the memorandum of understanding and legal agreement relating to the schools integration project, currently with the legal section of this Department, in view of the importance of the project to a significant number of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19231/99]
It is my intention that the schools integration project will be introduced with the minimum of delay and every effort will be made by my Department to expedite the necessary groundwork for the project. The Deputy will appreciate that I will be entering into legally binding agreements with third parties in respect of the project and I have a duty to ensure that these agreements are fully consistent with and supportive of the public interest. To that end any contracts must be cleared by my Department in consultation with the Attorney General's office. This work is ongoing and the Deputy can rest assured that there will be no delay in completing it.
