Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Can we get beyond the squinting windows of dialogue and the cultural deference of the past? Can we have a seminar in which everybody can hear what the participants are saying? Archbishop Martin has an obligation to the Minister in exercising his duties as patron because the Minister is paying the tab for the 477 schools - 93% of the total - which are involved in Dublin. The current operator is saying he is a reluctant patron and I can understand some of the difficulties. However, instead of polite conversations with officials, can we hold the dialogue in the open? Some officials are characterised in the Ryan report as having a culture of deference so can we help to weaken that deference? This concerns the futures of all our children.

See this speech in context