Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will start by declaring a conflict of interest. I have been on the board of management of a Catholic school in west Cork for the past number of years and I was chairperson of the same board. I cannot understand why people come into this House and point fingers at the religious orders in regard to schools. I have been ten years involved in the same school in Schull in west Cork, but not once has religion been put before the interests of the child. Time and again I come into the Dáil and it seems that people are saying that religion is keeping people outside the door of schools. That is not the case. I would not have anything to do with the likes of any board of management if that were the case. It has been fair to everyone and, as chairperson, I never once heard religion being raised as an issue, thanks be to God, in the three years I was on the board.

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