Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is the issue we have identified if this section were simply abolished. Deputy Thomas Byrne said the Church of Ireland had contacted him on this. I spoke with representatives from the Church of Ireland today and assured them our intention is not to wipe out minority religious schools but to define their catchments in a much broader way than a local parish Catholic school.

I know some Members feel this Bill does not go far enough and that others are satisfied with the status quo. However, I urge them to support the Bill, which is designed to bring fairer access for children to their local school and to develop on the progress that has already been made in regard to making Ireland a more inclusive place for children, irrespective of their background. Deputy Catherine Martin expressed very well the need to do that in the broader context of attitudes which are hardening in various parts of the world, including Ireland.

Children benefit from meeting and getting to know classmates from various backgrounds and religions. Diversity in our schools is an opportunity for our society, not something we should feel threatened by. For that reason, it is very disappointing that the Government is deciding to kick this down the road for 12 months. This is not new politics; it is a "do nothing" Dáil. We have seen other examples of issues being kicked down the road and not decided upon. I again urge the Government to re-think that timescale, particularly as the admissions Bill is to be brought forward early. We do not need this broader consultation because we can do that within the committee on Committee Stage. The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism has already engaged very widely on this issue under an independent chairman. I believe this is to put off something we need to do right now for the parents of children who are right now worried they will not be able to get their child into the local school.

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