asked the Minister for Education if he considers it permissible, in view of paragraph 15 (c) of the Constitution and Rules of Procedure for National School Boards of Management, for a son or daughter of the principal of a national school to be a member of the board of management of the school in question.

Paragraph 15 of the Constitution of Board and Rules of Procedure for National School Boards of Management deals specifically with the procedures to be adopted where a family relationship exists between a member of the board and a person employed in the school. Provided these procedures are complied with it is permissible for any member of the family of any teacher in the school to be a member of the board of management.

Would the Minister not accept that the provisions of paragraph 15 suggest that anybody who has a family relationship needs to withdraw from the discussion when any matter connected with the other person is under discussion? Is it not the case that virtually all matters involving a primary school involve the principal of that school and therefore any member of a management board who was related to the principal would be virtually permanently absent from the meetings of the board if that regulation were to be followed in the letter and spirit.

The words of paragraph 15 are clear enough and my answer is in accordance with it. I do not accept that all general education problems should force the withdrawal of a relation, and I do not think the Deputy accepts that either.

10.