§ MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can recommend the Commissioners of National Education to withdraw Rules 88 (b), 89 (a), and 94 III., in view of the fact that under these rules school teachers are absolutely prevented from attendance at any public ceremony, taking any part in the public life of the districts in which they reside, or from being members of committees dealing with such matters as education, under pain of withdrawal of salary.
MR. BRYCEI understand from the Commissioners of National Education that they are willing to consider the rules referred to with a view to seeing whether they can be modified in some points, but that they hold it to be highly undesirable that school teachers should take an active part in political controversy or sit on public bodies, inasmuch as this would impair their usefulness by tending to bring them into conflict with sections of their neighbours and thereby to lessen the confidence and respect with which it is desirable that they should be regarded by the whole community. It would, moreover, prevent them from devoting their time to their scholastic duties. The matter is one within the discretion of the Commissioners.
§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway)When will the modifications be announced?
MR. BRYCEI have not said there would be any modifications. I stated that the Commissioners were prepared to consider if any were possible.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Do these rules debar a teacher sitting on Education Committees?
§ MR. MURPHYIs it not the fact a teacher is prevented going anywhere or doing anything under pain of dismissal by these rules?