Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

As the Minister said, there may be a problem with part of rule 68, which states that religious instruction should inform and vivify the whole work of the school day. This may have to be examined from the doctrinal side.

It is unlikely that parents in many parish schools will vote for immediate change. I may be wrong but I have a feeling for their opinions. However, these schools must change in some way. We must examine the structure of the boards of management. I suggested to the management bodies that they proactively promote the concept of a lay chairperson. I am pleased to note that this is the case in over 60% of schools. The chairpersons should be elected and should rotate, as they do in many VEC schools. There is a three-year cycle with a parent the chairperson for one year, a teacher the next and a representative of the patron the next. Senator Jimmy Harte's letter to The Irish Times yesterday made some excellent points, particularly about a comparative study with schools in the North. I recommend that those interested in the topic read the letter carefully.

The entry of VECs into the mix of primary school patrons, along with Educate Together, is a welcome dynamic and provides an opportunity where there is a multiplicity of primary schools or where there is a plebiscite to provide the necessary diversity, as recommended in the report and as sought by parents. In this context, it will be necessary for some parish schools - I use the word parish in the religious sense- to divest. From my discussions with the religious, ranging from the liberal to the conservative, I know this is a discussion everyone is willing to have with a view to coming to a realistic and forward looking solution.

With regard to page 90 of the report, I wish to note the observation of older post-primary students when asked what was not good about the way religion is taught. They replied in terms of how they were taught in primary school, suggesting that students should have an opportunity to learn about other religious beliefs. In a previous contribution in this House, I referred to my son's religious education in his voluntary secondary school and referred to his teacher as a confirmed atheist. I was speaking creatively, as while he is confirmed, he is not in fact an atheist. This particular irony was noted at the time by Senator Darragh O'Brien. What I was communicating was that this excellent teacher's ability to communicate within the ethos of the school the essence and value of many religions and the dignity of the atheistic position also. This is at the heart of what the students observed in this matter. I am pleased with the observation that the changes proposed will be done with proper consultation and negotiation. I urge that all bodies involved engage in a constructive way in the process.

I congratulate the Minister on commissioning this report and on his general commitment to the development and reform of our education system.