Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am not aware of the specific issues raised by the Deputy. However, I believe this would be part of the normal structured dialogue that takes place in the bilateral exchanges with the churches on specific policy areas by individual Departments. I expect the Department of Education and Skills would have to look into the legal implications of that to see what precedent was being set and the extent to which it might have to review current arrangements and decide the level of adaptation that might need to be addressed as a result.

I suggest a specific question from the Deputy to the Minister for Education and Skills might elicit a more accurate reply than I am able to give him. No item on any agenda is excluded, but I expect this matter would be dealt with in the normal way in the dialogue with churches on issues that arise regarding possible changes of regulations that might be required as a result of legal cases going through the courts. I am not au fait with the circumstances, but this is the context in which that would take place, that is, the more flexible channel of communication as envisaged regarding broad issues of mutual concern, and would be supplementary to the normal contacts.

In relation to the issue of contributions, etc., in addition to the original sum of €128 million under the 2002 indemnity agreement, the Deputy is right that further offers were made, the cash element of which was €111 million that was to be provided within five years.

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