Who to blame for schools crisis

IN recent weeks Education Minister Mary Hanafin has publicly blamed local authorities for the school places crisis which has led to the establishment of primary schools dominated by foreign nationals in areas such as Balbriggan and Diswellstown/Porterstown in my Dublin West constituency.

While criticism of planning officials and indeed some councillors is warranted, I cannot allow the minister’s attempt to absolve herself from any responsibility to go unchallenged.

During my three years as a member of Fingal County Council, I fought hard to secure school sites and oppose over-development, including attempts to rezone even more land in the Diswellstown/Porterstown area.