asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the non-sectarian tradition of society in the Republic, he will introduce legislation to implement the unanimous recommendation of the Committee on the Constitution that subsections 2º and 3º of Article 44.1 be deleted from the Constitution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amendment of Constitution.
4.
I have given my views on the provisions in question on a number of occasions, as have members of the Opposition parties. For that reason I do not believe that their continued inclusion in the Constitution, for the time being, gives serious offence or that their amendment is a matter which warrants immediate action.
Would the Taoiseach agree that his Government have been faithfully implementing this Article of the Constitution as exemplified by their handling of a number of questions, including Senator Mary Robinson's Bill, the community schools question, and the adoption question?
I would.
They have not been implementing the Article of the Constitution?
Perhaps the Taoiseach would explain if, in fact, he has consulted the Hierarchy about this, because one of his predecessors stated to the Constitution Committee that he had done so and had been told that they would be anxious to see it removed?
That is a separate question.
I made a statement many months ago about this particular Article and I said that at that time I did not see that it put the Catholic Church in any special position, nor did I think the Article was necessary at all. I said in this House that I made that statement long before the Hierarchy pronounced on it. The Hierarchy did pronounce on it through the Cardinal Primate of All Ireland when he said he would not shed any tears if this Article disappeared from the Constitution.
Question No. 5.