While the Minister of State is having a look at the Irish schools would he have a look at the situation of the multidenominational schools. Is he aware that some very curious features seem to have arisen in relation to what is regarded as a suitable school? In some parts of the country it appears that the providers of transport have taken the view that a multidenominational school is suitable for the Protestant children of the area but not suitable for the Catholic children of the area which is a very odd arrangement.

That is not the view of the Department.

I was careful to say that.

We will have a look at it. There are certain exceptions to the scheme and one such exception is the provision for the conveyance of Protestant children to national schools under Protestant management and consequently they have always been given the necessary advantage in terms of the provision of school transport.

But it defeats the purpose of multidenominational school transport.

We accept that this is an anomaly but the major difficulty is that if you allow people to move in accordance with their own wishes you will very quickly reach a situation of chaos. When we took office we had ideas about how changes might be made but as the Deputy is aware when alternative suggestions are made you very quickly realise the practical problems that arise.

Question No. 8, please.

I wish to ask a brief supplementary.

I just want to alert the House to the fact that we have disposed of only seven questions in 40 minutes. This is very slow progress from any standpoint.