Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I support this amendment.

We should perhaps have philosophy classes instead. The idea there would be instruction in a particular religious denomination or viewpoint during school time inevitably creates a discriminatory atmosphere for, as well as isolation and segregation of those who might not share the school’s religious view or have no religious view. It is wrong. It is not the job of the State to finance that. I would fight to the death for somebody's right to freedom of religious expression. However, it is not our job to allow public moneys or the law to uphold a situation where particular religious views are pushed in school at young people. We are long past the time when that should continue to be the case. That is not to say there should not be a general discussion about religious, philosophical or humanist ideas. There should be but not specific religious education and instruction of a particular viewpoint.