Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Did the Taoiseach raise the divestment of schools and hospitals with leaders of the Catholic Church at his meeting in August? Church leaders have made public statements supporting this policy for schools in particular, but also apparently an agreement is in progress relating to the National Maternity Hospital moving to Elm Park. Divestment is very slow in practice.

Money was committed in respect of redress in the infamous deal with the then Minister, Dr. Michael Woods, and the then Taoiseach. Over the summer, it was reported that the Christian Brothers had sold a small number of acres at Clonkeen College in Deansgrange for upwards of €18 million. Where stands redress in terms of amounts still owing and amounts committed to be paid at this point in time?

I would like to hear the discussions that took place on the eighth amendment. Obviously the Catholic Church is a significant institution in Ireland. I have attended a number of these meetings, which serve a very good purpose.

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