Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Question 2: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the fact that all five undergraduate primary teacher training colleges are owned and managed by the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland and that such colleges are extensively funded by the Irish taxpayer and bearing in mind the provisions of Article 44 of the Constitution, she considers the compulsory requirement on students in these colleges to partake in religious studies, including faith formation for primary pupils as acceptable due the fact it denies the right of students to choose not to participate in such courses on the basis of their conscience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23887/10]

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