asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to establish a pupil transfers committee; when such a committee will report; and whether such a committee will include any parents.

It is my intention, in accordance with the manifesto, to establish a pupil transfers committee at an early date to examine the problems of transition from primary to post-primary schools. The precise composition of the committee has not yet been decided upon. It would not be feasible at this stage to indicate a date by which the committee would furnish their report.

First of all, could I ask the Minister to be more specific about the date for the creation of such a committee? Secondly, could I ask him whether or not he is aware of the existence of a national organisation for the elected parent representatives to primary schools and whether he will accept a nominee of that organisation to such a committee?

When I come to select the members of the committee of course I will have to look at all the representative bodies for membership. But I will, naturally, rely heavily on practising teachers and other educationalists, as I stated in the manifesto.

Would the Minister not accept that it is very important to have parents represented on such a committee? Can he still not give us any further information as to the date of the establishment of such a committee? The Minister has been in office for almost half a year now.

Question No. 28.

Half a year will be January, in fact. I could not possibly conceive of any committee without a parent on it. The thing is ridiculous.

Deputies should have a bit of sense.

When is it likely to be established?

If we had not parents we could not have children.

Really?

The Minister is getting wiser by the hour.

Thanks.