197 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of media reports whereby the representative of the Church of Ireland was excluded by means of a vote by the majority party on Cork County Council, Fine Gael, from membership of County Cork Vocational Education Committee which resulted in a statement of major concern by the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (details supplied) and the amendments to the legislation she now proposes in order to guarantee equality for all trustees in education partnerships nationally. [35973/10]

I am aware of the media reports and the statement of the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross to which the Deputy refers. The Deputy will be aware that I intend to seek the approval of the Government for a re-structuring of the VEC system, and I anticipate that such re-structuring will require legislative change. Issues of the type raised by the Bishop can be considered in the context of such legislation.