Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for the general reply to the question that I tabled. I have three brief items on which to follow through.

First, on education and the discussions that took place between the Government and the churches, can the Taoiseach give a reassurance that no particular school will be forcibly divested of its religious ethos in the context of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn's, proposals that certain schools, particularly Catholic schools, would no longer remain as Catholic schools if he so determines and that minority churches, which depend on education as a fundamental part of nurturing and maintaining their faith, will not come under threat, either financially by certain initiatives the Minister is undertaking or in terms of his attitude and approach to the questions of the ethos? In other words, parental choice will still be paramount in terms of the formation, trusteeship and continuation of schools and there will not be any attempt to force persons out of particular schools or to remove the ethos of schools to which persons voluntarily signed up. It is a serious issue and it is causing much concern. I would appreciate hearing to what degree that issue was raised in the inter-church dialogue in which the Government has engaged and whether the Taoiseach was in a position to give assurances to church leaders on these issues because it is arguable they are having a disproportionate impact at both primary and secondary levels, particularly in the case of minority schools.

Second, the inauguration of Pope Francis provides an opportunity for a reconsideration of the closure of the Embassy to the Holy See. I would ask that the Taoiseach would give such reconsideration and take the opportunity to re-establish an embassy in the Vatican State itself.

Third, the Taoiseach mentioned the A, B and C v. Ireland case on which the European Court of Human Rights adjudicated. The Government has given a commitment to legislate on the outcome of that and also to legislate on the X case. The Taoiseach might indicate the nature of the discussions that took place with the churches on the case of A, B and C v. Ireland and whether he was in a position to clarify for the churches the expected timeline for the publication and enactment of that legislation. I note from the legislative programme for the summer session that no provision is made for this legislation under section A, Bills expected to be published during the summer session. No provision is made under section B, which is Bills in respect of which heads have been agreed and texts are being drafted. Therefore, heads have not even been agreed at this stage on this legislation, that is, the abortion legislation to legislate for the X case, as it is known. It is not listed either in section C, which is Bills in respect of which heads have yet to be approved by Government. I would ask for an explanation as to why not because the Minister has made it clear publicly that he expects the legislation to be enacted by July. There have been some contrary reports today. Can the Taoiseach outline whether he enlightened the church leaders on when this legislation will be published and the attitude of the church leaders to the Government's proposals?

See this speech in context