Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 10, inclusive, together.

I proposed that the Government should engage directly with faith based communities and bodies on the development of an institutionalised dialogue. This initiative reflects the significant role of the churches and an increasingly diverse range of faith communities, the Government's commitment to wide-ranging consultation on public policy including through social partnership and the provision for dialogue with the churches and other non-confessional bodies in the draft constitutional treaty for the EU under articles 1-52.

Following the initial written consultations between officials in my Department and the prospective partners in this dialogue, a series of meetings at official level commenced some time ago with a view to formally inaugurating the process. These meetings sought to identify the scope and structure of the dialogue as an enduring channel of communication. The discussions have been very encouraging and it is hoped to conclude this final round of consultation in the coming weeks. I hope all the partners in this process will be ready to engage in an inaugural meeting and commence a series of bilateral meetings with Ministers over the coming months.

With regard to structure, I envisage the dialogue process will include an annual meeting and reception with all participants in the dialogue in attendance, an annual bilateral meeting with each representative body at which the State side would be led by members of the Government and include senior officials from appropriate Departments, and an ongoing channel of communication at official level.

The response to this initiative from the outset has been very positive. It has been generally welcomed as an appropriate and timely response to complement the process of change in Ireland. The long established arrangements for delivery of services in the State, heavily reliant on and closely engaged with the churches, are in need of review. I hope this process will give the participants and the wider community an opportunity to reflect on the continuing changes in the social patterns of life, including those arising from immigration.

I understood the reported remarks from the church leaders to reflect their enthusiastic support and welcome for the dialogue, as previously conveyed directly. I share their commitment to move forward with the process as quickly as it can be arranged. Deputies will appreciate that for the enduring stability of this structured dialogue, it is best that the process be well prepared through the contacts which have taken place, so it can be open, inclusive and transparent.

See this speech in context