Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the effects the new EU Equal Treatment Directive, if passed by the Council of Ministers, will have on religious schools in terms of enrolment policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17151/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On 7 July 2008, the European Commission published a proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in the supply of and access to goods and services, social benefits including social security and healthcare, social advantages and education. The text of the legislative proposal and an information note were provided to the Oireachtas on 5 August 2008.

Discussions at Council Working Group level commenced under the French Presidency on 18 July 2008 and a brief orientation debate on the proposal was held by Council on 2 October 2008. These ongoing discussions are at a very early stage and it is not yet possible to determine what a final draft will contain. Therefore, any comments made at this stage must of necessity be of a preliminary nature. The Deputy will note that Ireland has already legislated extensively in this area. The initial view of my Department is that the proposal will not require any change to the provisions of the Equal Status Acts governing access to education.