Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

Since the process was inaugurated in February 2007 by my predecessor, general and bilateral meetings have taken place with most of the participants. I am very pleased with the progress to date and I look forward to further meetings with the dialogue partners.

I met the Church of Ireland archbishops in 2009 as part of the process and this was my first specific encounter with the Church-State dialogue since I became Taoiseach. I recently met with the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and we discussed the dialogue process. Contact at official level has continued with various churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations. I am looking forward to meeting with other partners in the process in the future.

The process of structured dialogue was envisaged from the outset as a flexible channel of consultation and communication on broad issues of mutual concern, which would supplement the normal bilateral and sectoral exchanges with the churches on specific policy issues by individual Departments. I am satisfied that it will develop in years to come to be a valuable means of addressing issues of change in society. I am confident that the opportunity to exchange perspectives and address issues of mutual concern in this way with key institutions of civil society will be of great benefit to all the participants given the importance of the faith dimension to the lives of so many of our citizens and the greater pluralism of religious affiliation and practice in Irish society.

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