Averil Power (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. All of our primary teachers have to teach religion. I know that is a broader issue in terms of patronage of schools. We can have that debate another time but until we have that debate, I support the sentiments behind this amendment. When hiring a primary school teacher being a particular faith is not a genuine occupational requirement because the protections are already there that if the employer believes the person is not doing their job or is challenging the ethos, the employer can take action. That is why I support this amendment. In both private and public institutions, where any action is being justified on the grounds of religion, it must be related to a genuine occupational requirement and not just some broad concept of ethos.