asked the Minister for Education whether he has completed his consultations with regard to the proposed deed of trust for community schools; whether he has secured the agreement of all the interested parties; and, if not, which parties are still unsatisfied.

Consultations with regard to the proposed deed of trust for community schools are in progress. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further statement in the matter at this stage.

What are the main areas for discussions at the moment? Has the Minister secured agreement from any of the parties in relation to any features of the proposed deed of trust?

I can tell the Deputy without interfering with the ongoing negotiations that progress has been made in all the major areas of disagreement.

Has the question of reserved posts for members of religious orders yet been sorted out to the satisfaction of all concerned?

It is in the process of being sorted out.

Can the Minister say when he expects to have completed these negotiations or when he will be in a position to finalise the deed of trust with the agreement of all parties?

It is a hazardous thing to give dates but I hope to do it in the reasonably near future.

Before the summer recess?

If the Deputy would interpret that as the reasonably near future.

No later than that.