Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am convinced that education in this area has come a long way since I was in school. I recall my sex education class really consisting of one word, "No".

That said, I see a contradiction in the idea that the Department will roll out this quite progressive education programme and at same time say that it can be taught within a particular ethos. We know what the problem is - the vast majority of our schools are still under Catholic control. That means young people are being told they can do something, but then they are immediately told that it is wrong. That is not the Department's fault but it is a glaring problem that we as elected representatives must deal with. Would the witnesses accept that, in reality, people are getting different types of education depending on the type of school they attend? Notwithstanding the fact that this set information must be given, the context is everything. That is a real concern.

I have some other questions, although I am conscious of having only six minutes.