Micheál Martin
Question:183. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any meetings he has had with any church leaders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6778/13]
View answerTuesday, 12 February 2013
Questions (183)
Written answers
Like public representatives generally, I meet church leaders informally from time to time in the course of attending public events, funerals etc. Also, like my predecessors I receive a Christmas greetings courtesy call from the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. In addition, the House will be aware that the Tánaiste and I hosted a State Reception on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin last year.
As regards formal meetings, I previously advised the House of my intention to continue with the process of structured dialogue with the Churches, faith communities and philosophical non-confessional bodies that was inaugurated in 2007.
The structure for dialogue includes meetings both at official and Ministerial level and meetings may be sought by either side on the basis of a proposed agenda agreed in advance of the meeting. Arrangements in this regard are made by my Department, which provides the administrative support for the process.
The process of structured dialogue is envisaged as a channel of consultation and communication on matters of mutual concern. However, it does not displace arrangements for the conduct of policy and administration by Government Departments and agencies in their functional responsibilities.
I met the dialogue partners in Government Buildings on 11 May 2011 simply to greet them and to signal my intention to resume the dialogue process.
I met representatives of the Catholic Church on Friday 18 January 2013 in the first in a series of bilateral meetings that I expect will be held with dialogue partners over the coming year. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Ministers for Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Health. The Catholic Church was represented by Cardinal Brady and Bishops Colm O'Reilly, John Buckley and Brendan Kelly.
We discussed a range of topics of mutual interest, including Northern Ireland, the safeguarding and welfare of children, education matters and the Report of the Expert Group on A, B and C v Ireland. We also discussed the Constitutional Convention, chaplaincies in schools, hospitals and prisons and peace and justice issues. We agreed that there should be continued dialogue with the relevant Departments on a number of these matters.
I also took the opportunity to outline our priorities for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU, and Cardinal Brady wished the Government well in its work during the Presidency which as the floor will be aware are Stability, Growth and Jobs.