Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is important to say that this has not arisen as a key issue for student teachers. We will be proactive. As I indicated, one of the colleges is proactive in this and we will move towards that. Neither side of the House is averse to this. I have no problem in supporting this and the colleges do not have a problem. It is a matter of working through how this can be set up simultaneously with the advice from the Attorney General. This matter will progress in tandem with the seeking of that advice. I do not want a situation whereby student teachers who have a conscientious objection would not be facilitated in any of the colleges.

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