Dr. Eoin Daly:

I thank the chairperson and members for extending an invitation to EQUATE to appear before the joint committee. EQUATE is a family and children's rights organisation that advocates for substantial change in how primary and secondary school education is delivered in Ireland.

Our submission on the Bill shows that we think there are good provisions in the Bill, but we would like to focus on the elephant in the room about which other groups have spoken, namely, the lack of action on the baptism barrier. A national opinion poll carried by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of EQUATE showed that one in five people are aware of someone who has baptised their child or children to help ensure access to a local school. It is not an abstract issue. It is a real issue that is of concern for people. Earlier this summer, along with Dr. Conor O'Mahony-----