Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am not aware of any pressure to introduce it at all into the science syllabus or of any school which is attempting to introduce it as part of the science syllabus. I did not know where the question came from but I am glad I have had the opportunity to learn about it.

Looking at other countries, in the United States, for instances, it was rejected as a science and could not be promoted. The Council of Europe has also stated that creationism is not based on facts and does not use any scientific reasoning. In the UK, they say it is not a recognised scientific theory, and it is not included in the science curriculum but can of course be used in religion.

I can confirm for the Deputy that it is not part of the syllabus, there are no proposals to make it part of the syllabus and I am not aware of any pressure to include it in part of the syllabus.

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