Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

A number of points have been raised. Deputy Kenny is totally correct. Bunreacht na hÉireann guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession and practice of religion. Obviously, if somebody wishes to have nothing to do with any church or association, he or she is entitled to do so.

This dialogue first emerged from the draft constitution on Europe. A number of countries, France in particular, have been leading the way in this regard. Dialogue has taken place with churches and non-confessional bodies as a basis for continuing a dialogue with the churches. The fact is we have changed dramatically. Files in my Department show that in the past there tended to be involvement and association with half a dozen church bodies. That is all there was. People contacted Departments about schools and that continues, but things have changed dramatically and continue to change. As I stated in my reply, we must try to determine how to accommodate the groups that have surfaced in the country that want to be part of the process but which are not represented in the main body of groups. Those involved include the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Baptist churches, the Lutheran churches, the Moravian Church — Irish district, the Religious Society of Friends, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Salvation Army, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Jewish Representative Council, the Imam of the Islamic Cultural Centre, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Republic of Ireland, the Irish Council of Churches and the Humanist Association of Ireland.

There is now a range of other groups of one form or another in the country which have no dialogue with the State and want to be involved. Needless to say, because of the population change in the country, these groups are demanding they have contact and relevance, be it through structured dialogue or otherwise. I am not too sure how representative some of the groups are and I have instructed officials to talk to them. The religions I have listed are only some of those in the country today.

On my comment on "aggressive secularism", my personal view is that I do not like, agree with or support the secular State and believe religion has a predominant role to play. I have no problem with secularists who do not want to have any religion but aggressive secularists are people who infringe on other people's rights. There are people in society who believe religion, of any kind, has no part to play and they are not shy about making their voices heard either. As an individual, never mind as Taoiseach, I am not afraid to voice my views in response. Their views stick in my craw, quite frankly, and I am entitled to offer my views in response to them. In my job, both as a politician and as Taoiseach, I do not share their view. If they want to stay quiet, I will stay quiet, but when they speak I believe I am entitled to speak.

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