Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have no doubt that a very small contribution would resolve these issues so Deputy P.J. Sheehan might put in a good word to contribute to the hundreds of millions of euro that have been invested in it. If the Deputy used his considerable powers in the area that could all be wrapped up before the Christmas period.

In response to Deputy Higgins, the role of the teacher is crucial because the teacher must deal with the changed situation whereby in many schools it is not uncommon to have 15 or 20 nationalities and seven or eight religions. That is happening and doing well in schools with Catholic boards of management.

The Ceann Comhairle has greater knowledge of the equality issue than I do and it is a matter that involved a great deal of negotiation with the churches. I am aware of the historical difficulties that relate to ethos and power of employment and they do not apply only to one church, as the churches bind together tightly on this matter, but the subject may not be as difficult to address as previously because the system has changed from what it traditionally was. There are now more religions represented in Ireland and schools and boards of management are showing more flexibility. In individual cases issues such as morals and standards may arise but one will not receive much of a response from the churches on such matters. I went through this issue with the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy O'Donoghue, when he was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and it is one on which the churches act collectively.

I take the point that we must embrace the fact that 10% of the population, over 400,000 people, come from other communities. The process of successful integration into Irish society must begin with education. The teacher plays the main role in making this happen.

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