Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin raised a number of matters. In respect of pluralism, when I met Archbishop Diarmuid Martin shortly after I was elected Taoiseach, one of the issues we discussed was the wish of the Catholic Church to hand over a number of schools because there are so many schools vested in the Catholic Church and the archbishop made it perfectly clear that there would be schools retained by the Catholic Church for the Catholic ethos, which is quite in order.

In regard to the discussion we had at the meeting, the Minister, Deputy Quinn, outlined for the group the positive engagement that was being held with the church, especially on issues arising from the recommendations of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism. He also outlined for the meeting the current position in regard to the surveys of parents in selected areas on the possible divesting of patronage of primary schools in certain areas. He was strong in his assurance that there was no intention or wish to enforce secularisation on the school system. He was clear about that. As Deputy Martin will be aware, since then the Minister sent out the findings of that forum with a view to having an interim reaction within three months and, possibly, a final view within six months. That was welcomed by Bishop Kelly who stated that the church was very much in favour of pluralism of school types and referred to the good engagement at all levels and across all groups involved in that process. Bishop Kelly welcomed specifically the assurance given by the Minister that the denominational status of those schools remaining under religious patronage, including, as they referred to, stand-alone schools, was not under threat.

In that education portion of the debate, we also referred to the teacher training position which was raised by Fr. Drumm. That referred to the ethos of the colleges and the need to reflect that in governance arrangements. In the particular case he mentioned, Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, the Minister, Deputy Quinn, stated openly and clearly that there was no hidden agenda here at all and reiterated that the proposals for change were to ensure quality teacher training outcomes. That was a good discussion with the cardinal and the bishops in respect of the education area.

When the question of the Embassy to the Holy See was raised, I stated that this was a decision that was taken purely on cost grounds. As Deputy Martin will be aware, at the time there was a retirement from the ambassadorial service and the Government was paying fairly significant rent for an embassy to Italy in a location very close by, and that decision was taken. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, has referred to this on a number of occasions.

On A, B and C v. Ireland, I expect that the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, will bring the heads of that Bill to Government, probably next week, in which case Government will consider the heads and publish them. We will send heads of the Bill to the Oireachtas committee. There will be a proper and full consultation and debate on that, as this matter warrants. We will proceed with it on that basis, but without rushing it.

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