asked the Minister for Education if, at the sworn public inquiry into the performance of its duties by the City of Limerick Vocational Education Committee about to be held in Limerick, members of the public who are not legally represented will be allowed to make submissions.

Members of the public will be afforded an opportunity of giving under oath such evidence relating to the matters being enquired into as they may be in a position to give from their own personal knowledge. There could be no question of allowing statements or submissions which are based on hearsay, rumour or report to be made at the inquiry.

Would the Minister tell us how he is going to differentiate between hearsay and fact?

There is an appointed officer of my Department who is presiding at the inquiry.