Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We could change things but it would be better to opt for pre-legislative scrutiny before engaging in line-by-line scrutiny. Line-by-line scrutiny is pedantic; it is about words and their meaning. The issues are too big to be dealt with simply by addressing definitions. We really need to examine broader issues such as catchment and ethos. We should explore on the public record why this issue is of particular importance to minority-faith schools. As I stated, I have not been able to consult representatives of at least two minority faiths, and I am sure the other parties have not been able to do so either since this Bill was published. It would be wrong to proceed without consultation.

The concerns I am addressing with regard to this Bill and the issues I am raising in disagreeing with it are entirely predicated in the first instance on the Constitution and, second, on the protection of the rights of minority faiths. This is a matter we must take seriously as a country. It is not a matter we have taken seriously over the decades. The Church of Ireland community, in particular, was not always treated fairly by this State. At the very least, its views on this matter must be taken into account.

When one notes all the issues concerning race that are bubbling up in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries, including Ireland, one must conclude that the views of the Muslim community must be taken seriously. If it is to see us as seriously trying to integrate it into society and communicate with it, the passage of a Bill like this, which may affect it, must involve consultation. I have not yet spoken to representatives of the Muslim community so I have yet to obtain their views. I presume the legislation does affect them; they have only two schools. Their views will be very important if we are to demonstrate seriousness of intent. I have not had the opportunity to consult the Muslim community, nor has the Dáil, because we are currently in the month of Ramadan.

I am absolutely confident that the Dáil will reach consensus. I sincerely hope it will be achieved by the autumn and that we can have our consultations. The education committee will not be busy with legislation in the way the justice and finance committees might be. Therefore, we will have time to deal with this issue and get this right in a relatively short period. Having this legislation ready for September 2017 is and should be an attainable ambition. I agree with Deputy Burton fully that this needs to be dealt with by then. I am absolutely confident that a consensus will emerge.

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