Sir, Vincent Kenny (June 18th) argues that the Knocklyon school issue was a factor in the defeat of my colleague, Eithne FitzGerald, in this election. Mr Kenny fails to state that the decision not to build a school in Knocklyon was taken only after two independent studies of schooling needs in Knocklyon were completed. The Knocklyon Action Group was met, its arguments listened to, but the independent consultant concluded that its submissions did not make the case for an additional school in this area.
Eithne FitzGerald attended meetings called by the Knocklyon group and courageously presented the facts - that the independent studies did not conclude that a new school was justified and that a new school would cost far more than extensions to existing schools. Vincent Kenny calls this arrogance; this is a snide and unfair comment about a public representative who had the honesty to present the facts at often hostile meetings arranged by the Knocklyon group.
As for provision of land for the Gaelscoil, I was under considerable pressure to sell the site but I decided to retain it in the Department of Education's ownership as there is every likelihood that the Gaelscoil will qualify for a permanent building in the next couple of years in accordance with the normal rules.
What lessons can we learn from all this? There is no doubt that an articulate and well organised pressure group can put pressure on public representatives to ignore independent findings on school provision.
Perhaps I should have given in to the pressure over the last four years. Perhaps I should have ignored the independent report. Perhaps Eithne FitzGerald should have gone along with the demand for a school which was not justified by an independent assessment.
It would certainly have been easier for Eithne and myself. But, to use Vincent Kenny's own words, it would have been an example of the "blatant politicking" which he claims to deplore. - Yours, etc.
Minister for Education, Dublin 1.