Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

Like public representatives generally, I meet church leaders informally from time to time in the course of attending public events, funerals, etc. Also, like my predecessors, I receive a Christmas greetings courtesy call from the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. In addition, the House will be aware that the Tánaiste and I hosted a State reception on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin last year.

As regards structured dialogue, I previously advised the House of my intention to continue with the process of structured dialogue with the churches, faith communities and philosophical, non-confessional bodies that was inaugurated in 2007. The structure for dialogue includes meetings both at official and ministerial level and meetings may be sought by either side on the basis of a proposed agenda agreed in advance of the meeting. Arrangements in this regard are made by my Department, which provides the administrative support for the process.

The process of structured dialogue is envisaged as a channel of consultation and communication on matters of mutual concern. However, it does not displace arrangements for the conduct of policy and administration by Government Departments and agencies in their functional responsibilities.

I met representatives of the Catholic Church on Friday, 18 January and I will be meeting representatives of the Church of Ireland on Friday, 19 April. These are the first in a series of bilateral meetings that I expect will be held with dialogue partners over the coming year. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Ministers for Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Health. The Catholic Church was represented by Cardinal Brady and Bishops Colm O'Reilly, John Buckley and Brendan Kelly. We discussed a wide range of topics of mutual interest, including Northern Ireland; the safeguarding and welfare of children; education matters; and the report of the expert group on A, B and C v. Ireland. We also discussed the convention on the Constitution; chaplaincies in schools, hospitals and prisons; and peace and justice issues. I also took the opportunity to outline our priorities for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU and Cardinal Brady wished the Government well in its work during the Presidency, the priorities of which as the House will be aware are stability, growth and jobs.

On Friday, 8 March I met an ecumenical delegation of European churches to discuss the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The delegation was made up of representatives of the Conference of European Churches and the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community, as well as of the Irish Council of Churches and the Irish Episcopal Conference. The meeting focused on the social consequences of the current crisis and the steps that the Irish Presidency is taking to address these through our stability, jobs and growth agenda.

Other areas we discussed included the current data protection proposals, the role of taxation policy in developing countries in the context of the current negotiations on the accounting directive, and the importance of PEACE funding for reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

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