Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the case of the meeting with the Catholic Church we discussed a number of topics including Northern Ireland, the safeguarding of children, educational matters and the protection of life during pregnancy. Both Cardinal Brady and I expressed abhorrence at the street violence before and after Christmas last year in Northern Ireland and the potential damage to Northern Ireland's reputation and economic prospects. We discussed the positive engagement between the Government and the Executive. We agreed to work together on a number of matters, including the safeguarding and welfare of children, patronage of schools and the impact of the public service recruitment moratorium on Catholic chaplaincies in schools, hospitals and prisons.

The meeting with the Catholic Church leaders took place on 18 January 2013. I can confirm that Cardinal Brady said he wished to express his regret at the closure of Ireland's embassy to the Vatican. He said he hoped that, in time, it could be restored. For my part I pointed out to him that the decision was taken solely on cost grounds but that the Cardinal's point was noted. Deputy Martin is aware of the recent comment by the Tánaiste in respect of a regular review of embassies, consulates and diplomatic personnel.

The matters discussed with the Church of Ireland leaders included education, the protection of life during pregnancy, issues relating to rural Ireland, Bethany House, Northern Ireland, care of the elderly and child and family support. The subject of education took up quite a deal of the meeting. Both the Minister, Deputy Quinn and the church representatives said that they valued the level of ongoing co-operation and the free flow of information regarding concerns of particular importance for Church of Ireland schools and communities. The recruitment of chaplaincies to hospitals and schools was also discussed.

Archbishop Jackson referred to the concern about the more than proportionate impact of any cutbacks on Church of Ireland schools and communities. He made the point that the loss of any school could be devastating for a community. The church representatives inquired about the value for money review and in particular the position of the block grant. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, referred to the programme for Government commitment to improving educational outcomes, the commitment to the underlying values of recognising diversity and pluralism and to facilitating parents' wishes. The value for money review is taking longer than anticipated but it will be submitted to the Government when the Minister receives it. The Minister assured the church representatives that he did not intend to rush the implementation of any of the findings of the review. He was very concerned and conscious of the importance of the schools to the communities and to their identity. In addition, he said that while the provisions of Article 44.2.4o of the Constitution are a constraint, there was no threat to the principle of the block grant. The Minister, the archbishop and their representatives said they valued the ongoing openness with which information and co-operation was given.

The budget did not make a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio, which is a matter of considerable importance and interest to the Church of Ireland. We discussed this matter in some detail with regard to a number of schools around the country - not only those along the Border - which might have better facilities in some cases than other nearby schools of the same persuasion. The decision in that regard was well received.

I ask Deputy Martin to remind me of the other questions he asked me.

See this speech in context