Shane Ross (Independent)

I thank Senator Buttimer for sharing time. There is a very strong campaign to reverse the proposed decision to withdraw the grant for Protestant schools. I endorse what Senator Buttimer said. It seems extraordinary that the Attorney General has suddenly found that the grant may be unconstitutional. It might be unconstitutional to withdraw it when it has been in place for 40 years.

I normally protest about having the wrong Minister in the House but it is a great opportunity that we have the wrong Minister here today. I hope the script of the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, does not conflict with his faith when he reads it. Am I correct in saying he is associated with the synod of the Church of Ireland? He should be naturally sympathetic to my point of view and I will be particularly interested when he departs from his script.

I acknowledge the contribution of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who very recently stated in an extraordinarily helpful intervention that the ethos of the Protestant schools ought to be defended. That was an unusual intervention in a controversy and it was brave and helpful. The Government should note it in that this is not purely a denominational issue. Religions other than the Protestant religion believe the Protestant ethos ought to be protected and that it adds to the general mosaic of Irish life.

It would be fair to say there are those from across the Border who monitor issues such as this very closely and how this nation treats its minorities. They watch and make judgments accordingly. This case is very high profile and people in the Protestant community feel strongly about it. They have run an extraordinarily passionate campaign to ensure the grant will not be withdrawn. The Government should take notice. It is a question of very small money in the overall scheme of things. We are not even talking about a decision that will necessarily save money. It may well be that the poorest members of the Protestant community will suffer, not the better off. This should be borne in mind by the Minister when he makes his decision.

I ask the Minister of State to convey my views and those of Senator Buttimer to the Minister for Education and Science. I would be very interested to hear the Minister of State's very personal views.