Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Government's proposed amendment to remove the baptism barrier in schools. I understand that Report Stage of the Bill is due to be taken in the House next week. It is shocking that a derogation in our equality legislation has allowed discrimination against children in Ireland by means of schools' admissions policies. In my view, education is a fundamental right and I have long advocated on this in the context of social, economic and cultural rights. Ireland is unique in that the Catholic ethos dominates, with more than 90% of our State schools run by Catholic entities. It is also unique after the children's rights referendum and marriage equality referendum, and even with the current referendum on the eighth amendment. Not as much has changed regarding religion and access to schools.

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