Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to express my support on behalf of Sinn Féin for these amendments. As the Minister knows, we welcome the Bill and the level of engagement. However, I believe the Minister is missing an opportunity with regard to these amendments.

It does not make sense for a modern republic to still have the vast majority of schools under a particular faith control. The most logical step is to separate church and State. As republicans, we have consistently called for this. I believe the Minister is missing an opportunity. This is an opportunity to be bold and embrace the republic that we need to build. Notwithstanding the fact that this Bill represents progress, the Minister could have gone further. Perhaps it speaks to the ideological differences between us. As a party of the left, we fully embrace the separation of church and State. As a party of the right, regrettably, Fine Gael, does not at this point.

I have personal experience currently of the issue amendment No. 20 seeks to address. Effectively, my children are parked at one side for the best part of half a year in holy communion and confirmation classes. That is not good enough in a modern republic. We did not have an opportunity to send our children to a non-Catholic school. We wanted to ensure our children got an education through Irish. We had no choice. The Department can and must do better. Again, I encourage the Minister to address amendment No. 20. I accept that amendment No. 14 is probably politically impossible for him given the conservative nature of his party, but surely he should be able to embrace amendment No. 20.