Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Taoiseach if he has raised or proposes to raise, in the context both of his commitment to a structured dialogue with the churches and of a constitutional requirement that the State must not impose disabilities or make discrimination on the ground of religious profession, belief or status; the extent to which reference should continue to be made in statute law or statutory instruments to the religious profession, status or belief of citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13322/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Taoiseach if he has raised or proposes to raise, in the context both of his commitment to a structured dialogue with the churches and of a constitutional requirement that the State must not impose disabilities or make discrimination on the ground of religious profession, belief or status, the question as to whether the State should continue to make special and separate provision in its arrangements for input by church bodies, in relation to the ownership and management of institutions funded by the State providing for the education or the health needs of citizens. [13324/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Taoiseach if he has raised or proposes to raise, in the context both of his commitment to a structured dialogue with the churches and of a constitutional requirement that the State must not impose disabilities or make discrimination on the ground of religious profession, belief or status, the question as to the reason the rules for national schools continue to provide, under an agreement made in 1937 between the Roman Catholic bishops and the INTO, a system whereby national school teachers are employable by reference to their religion and are transferable to other schools by reference to various Departmentally maintained panels all of which are based on considerations as to religious profession, belief or status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13325/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 91 and 92 together.

The process of structured dialogue between the Government and the churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations in Ireland was inaugurated with a gathering of dialogue partners at Dublin Castle on 26 February, 2007. This will soon be followed a series of bilateral meetings with the dialogue partners.

I believe that we have a political and civic culture in Ireland that, while holding no institution or individual above the law, respects the place of religious belief and practice. It will be open to all partners as the dialogue continues to express their views on subjects of mutual interest and to bring forward proposals for change. I am aware from the preliminary consultations with bodies on the dialogue process that the issues raised by the Deputy are likely to be of interest to partners in the process.

The secretariat for the dialogue process will be provided by my Department, but it is not envisaged that this process should in any way displace the existing relationships between Departments of State and the dialogue partners nor diminish the responsibility, in the first instance, of Ministers with regard to issues arising in relation to their assigned functions. If the issues suggested by the Deputy should arise, they will be addressed through the appropriate channels. Similarly, the detailed aspects of the issues raised by the Deputy should be addressed to the relevant Ministers.