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 official or public events. I previously advised the House of my intention to engage in the process of structured dialogue with the churches, faith communities and philosophical non-confessional bodies envisaged in the Lisbon treaty. The structure for dialogue includes meetings 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. It does not displace arrangements for the conduct of policy and administration by Departments and agencies in their functional responsibilities.

This year, I had formal meetings under the structured dialogue process with representatives of the Catholic Church, led by Cardinal Brady, and the Church of Ireland, led by Archbishop Michael Jackson. I was accompanied at the meeting with the Catholic Church by the Ministers for Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Health and at the meeting with the Church of Ireland by the Ministers for Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs. I also 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 Catholic Bishops Conference.

The discussions at these meetings covered a range of topics of mutual concern, including Northern Ireland, education, issues regarding rural Ireland, care of the elderly, family and child support, peace and justice, Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, and the stability, jobs and growth agenda. There was also discussion with the representatives of the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland on the protection of life during pregnancy. My schedule this year, which included the EU Presidency, did not permit meetings with other bodies but I expect to rectify this in the coming year.

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