Mr. John Suttle:

I agree with Ms Duggan. Again, three of the presentations made today pertain to religious discrimination in admissions and what is happening within the schools after children gain entry. I understand the Chairman has stated previously that many Catholic schools are highly inclusive but in Dublin, the right of a child to enter the school has been taken away. Children should not be waiting for the privilege of being invited to attend a school under Catholic patronage. They have the constitutional right and that is not implemented in the Chairman's area or any other area in Dublin. Many inclusive schools have Catholics-first admissions policies. Again, when it comes to section 29 appeals, the board of management is the instrument that introduces Catholics-first admissions policies and it is nonsensical to consider that the board of management might be the last port of call in appealing against its own policy. If section 29 is to be enhanced, fine, but section 29 definitely should be kept because it is working quite well as it stands. However, it certainly could be enhanced. I wish to agree with Mr. Gabriel McCabe on a side issue. Again, this was a very good presentation but it is very serious when a child must leave his or her area to attend school and the isolation that this causes is a serious matter and can last a lifetime. Children have the right to attend their local school and every child on the road should be allowed to attend his or her local school. If the religion of their school is not what they wish, they have an entitlement to withdraw.