Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Constitution gave some of the churches a structured position with the State. However, most of them do not have such a position. The two officials who have worked hard on this matter have informed me they believe they can get it going next year.

I had a number of meetings with the Most Reverend John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin, as well as correspondence with various people from the Church of Ireland. At direct meetings with Archbishop Neill, concerns were expressed to me regarding any dilution or diminution of the status of the charter that was worked out many years ago. We emphasised to Archbishops Neill and Eames that this is not the case. I gave them a written commitment to this effect. There is no intention on the State's part to move away from the charter, from its commitments to the charter or from the protection of the issues of faith for the Church of Ireland.

As for Tallaght hospital, we have assured them that while the decision has been made regarding Temple Street Children's University Hospital, there will be no downgrading of the Tallaght complex. There have been numerous meetings at official level since then. While I have not kept completely up to date with them, they asked for some particular issues to be addressed and I understand that they have been or are being addressed.

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