Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the call for a debate on education which should take place in an informed and non-partisan way. If there is a perception abroad that the present debate regarding the Catholic church's involvement in education has its roots in anti-Catholicism then we should ask ourselves why that perception is abroad. One reason may be that the question is generally raised at a time when the Catholic church, for one reason or another, is coming under the spotlight. We do no justice to the children of this generation or future generations by conducting a debate in that manner. Only for the Catholic church in this country we would not be in the position in which we find ourselves, that is, in which we can realise our full potential. Many people in the House would not be able to enunciate views, as they do, but for the excellent free education which we received from the various religious orders. I suggest we step back a little at this time and hold a debate for its own sake. There is not a single person in the House who is not committed to providing the best possible education system in the country. However, we contaminate the debate each time we try to link it to some other debate or issue. The Leader would do us all a favour if he could bring forward that debate at the earliest possible time.