Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will continue the dialogue with churches and other faith communities begun by his predecessors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8373/11]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Since the process was inaugurated in February 2007, general and bilateral meetings have taken place with most of the participants at both ministerial and official levels. I hope in the near future to meet partners in the dialogue and subsequently to hold further meetings with individual dialogue partners. The agendas for these meetings will be agreed in advance with each dialogue partner.

The process of structured dialogue was envisaged from the outset as a channel of consultation and communication on matters of mutual concern, but not to displace or override the normal arrangements for the conduct of policy and administration by Departments and agencies in their responsibilities. I am satisfied that it will develop in the years to come to be a very valuable support in dealing with issues of change in society and am confident that the opportunity to exchange perspectives and address issues of mutual concern in this way will be of great benefit to all of the participants involved.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It is important to acknowledge the very good work that has been and continues to be done by churches and faith communities. The mark of a real republic, when we get one, will be to have eradicated sectarianism and to have tolerance and full civil and religious rights.

In the course of those discussions, some legacy issues still need to be resolved. In discussions with the Catholic Church, has the Taoiseach raised or will he raise the issue of the victims of the Magdalene laundries? Does he acknowledge that the State and the Catholic Church - certainly, the hierarchy - owe a public apology to those women, and that a redress scheme should be established? Will the Taoiseach raise with the Church of Ireland the issue of Bethany House, Rathgar, and also acknowledge the joint responsibility of the Church of Ireland and the State? Will the Taoiseach tell the House whether there are plans to revisit the existing redress scheme for survivors of abuse while in State institutions or other institutions run by the religious orders?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Magdalene laundries were not State institutions. One of the ten Magdalene laundries was used by the Department of Justice for a period from 1960 onwards for the remand of 16 to 21 year old women for short periods pending trial. Since the foundation of the State, a condition of probation sometimes imposed by a court on women found to have committed criminal offences was that they reside in an institution such as a Magdalene laundry for a period of three years. The Department of Justice and Equality has not received any complaints from individuals charged with criminal offences who were remanded or sent on probation orders to any of the institutions that were run by religious orders.

On 9 November 2010, the Human Rights Commission published its assessment of the request by the Justice for Magdalenes group to carry out an inquiry under section 9 of the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 into the treatment of women and girls who resided in Magdalene laundries. The commission decided not to carry out a statutory inquiry itself, as it is entitled to do under the legislation which established it, and as was requested by the Justice for Magdalenes group. It recommended that a statutory mechanism be established to investigate the matters advanced by the Justice for Magdalenes group and, in appropriate cases, to grant redress where warranted. Its assessment was the subject of an Adjournment debate in the House.

The assessment raised issues for a range of Departments as well as for the four religious congregations which operated the Magdalene institutions. The Department of Justice and Equality has received proposals for a reparations scheme from the Justice for Magdalenes group, which are currently being considered, and the Department of Justice and Equality, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, whose role it is to provide legal advice, has prepared a draft submission for the Government on the matter, which is being considered by the Minister at present.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It was a good initiative of previous taoisigh to establish this dialogue between the churches, other faith communities and the office of the Taoiseach. Many of these churches and faith groups now see the Taoiseach's office as a protector or promoter of diversity and tolerance. In this context, many of the churches, including minority churches, will be worried about the impact of Government announcements and decisions, particularly the impact of Government policy on their schools. A unilateral declaration has been made that they should hand over 50% of their schools, which has not given confidence to quite a number of minority churches. Has the Taoiseach had consultation with the churches on that issue and, if so, will he elaborate his thoughts on the matter?

Has he had consultations or discussions with the churches in regard to faith formation in schools? I do not accept that instruction in regard to holy communion and confirmation is undermining literacy standards in our schools, which I understand was suggested by the Minister for Education and Skills. I tend to agree with the view of former Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, that this is a completely over the top analysis of the literacy issue, which arises from more profound issues and requires deeper analysis. I want to ascertain the Taoiseach's views in this regard and whether he has had consultations with the churches on the issues pertaining to education.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No, I have not had any consultations with the churches but I expect to do so and I look forward to that series of consultations on a whole range of issues, including in respect of schools. When the Minister, Deputy Quinn, made his comments, he made it perfectly clear that while it might be fine to be ambitious, these issues depend on a serious dialogue between the parents, the boards of management and the patrons. The forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary sector has been established. That forum, announced by the Minister for Education and Skills, will undertake its work in respect of the conditions served.

This is a matter the House should discuss in due course. It is important that people's views be expressed. However, the forum is getting on with its work for now. After I meet and have a series of consultations with the Catholic Church I will be happy to come back to the House and discuss the matter further.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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May I ask a supplementary?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy it was a worthwhile initiative on the part of the previous Government to set up the dialogue and conversations.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I come from a position of being a very strong supporter of pluralism within the education system and I was a very strong supporter of Educate Together when I was Minister for Education. However, I believe consultation in the broadest sense is important for moving forward. I take from the Taoiseach's reply he does not necessarily agree with the Minister for Education and Skills on the 50%-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Taoiseach approaches dialogue with the churches, is it his view, for example, that instruction for communion and confirmation should take place outside the classroom?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a matter for the Taoiseach but for the Minister for Education and Skills. The Deputy cannot ask the Taoiseach to look into the mind of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am asking about the Taoiseach's mind, his own impression on this issue.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a question for the Taoiseach to answer. Let us be reasonable. There are other questions to be answered. Perhaps the Taoiseach may care to make a short comment.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is obviously a matter for serious discussion. I was in a classroom recently with 31 or 32 pupils, of whom one had been born in this country. There are obviously practical problems in dealing with the instruction of children of diverse nationalities, ethnic groups and religious beliefs. In the first instance practical discussion must be held - that is an important conversation.