Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I remind Senator Bacik that her party has been in government for more than a year and she should just get used to it. She and her colleagues in government have a responsibility to ensure a clear message comes from Government. I am raising the matter today because I am concerned there is not a clear message. The Leader can use his time later and the Deputy Leader, Senator Bacik, can take the opportunity to state the Labour Party's case on it and state that it is not about sweeteners, but about the treaty itself.

On numerous occasions I have raised the issue of how minority faith schools, particularly Church of Ireland schools, are affected by the cuts the Government introduced. Did the Leader see the comments by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Reverend Michael Jackson, on the impact the Government cuts affecting small urban and rural schools, particularly minority faith schools, are having on the Protestant community here? We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising and the Government has stated it is trying to build a new Republic. I put it to the Leader that any republic should respect its minorities and ensure they flourish. I request a debate on the fact that 65% of all Church of Ireland schools are affected by Government cuts on the small schools area. I was saddened to read that an eminent figure such as the Archbishop of Dublin feels that we are under a creeping threat and it was uncertain whether this was for both economic and ideological reasons. This area is of great concern to me. The Government has reversed some of the cuts on the DEIS schools but has not done enough. The Government is badly letting down our minority faiths.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, should come to the House this week or next week to address this specific issue. We know he has particular views on the patronage of schools, which relate to Catholic, Protestant and other faith schools. Is this a means for him to pave the way for the removal of patronage from Catholic and Protestant schools and get it in under the radar? The Protestant community feels under attack from the Government, and it is an outrage and a shame. The Government needs to review and address the matter. I have raised the matter repeatedly here in the House because somebody needs to speak up for the minority faiths in this Chamber as it is certainly not happening within the Government.