asked the Minister for Education if she has considered the report produced on behalf of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which suggested that rights guaranteed under the constitution would seem to have been infringed in the area of education; if she accepts the findings of the report; if she intends to introduce any reforms as a result of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Education Rights.
11.
I have considered the report on the implementation of the declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief submitted by Mr. d'Almeida Ribeiro, Special Rapporteur appointed in accordance with resolution 1986/20 of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
The rapporteur does not state that "rights under the Constitution would seem to have been infringed in the area of education". The report quotes certain allegations which were contained in a communication of 21 July 1988 addressed to the Government and proceeds to quote extracts from section of the reply to the points raised in relation to education communicated on 9 December 1988 by the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN.
The extracts which the rapporteur quotes in his report from the very full Irish response refute the allegations. I would further point out to the Deputy that the special rapporteur makes it clear in paragraph 10 of his report that there is no question of his making any judgement on any of the allegations contained in the report.
Is the Minister satisfied that our education system, including our curriculum in our schools etc., and our denominational system of education, does not in any way infringe the UN Declaration of Human Rights and that the UN Commission on Human Rights endorses that?
I do not accept that there is discrimination, but I think it would be helpful if I were to send to the Deputy the full communication and the repporteur's submission on it, because very clearly it shows the submissions we made through Foreign Affairs in response to the "allegations".
Would the Minister do that for other Deputies?
Yes, I can make it available.
In view of the detailed way in which the Minister has put the rapporteur's report into context, will she not agree that also on page 10, which she quoted, the rapporteur stated it was his function to draw attention to the incidents and measures that were inconsistent with the basic declaration on discrimination, known curiously and ironically as the Irish declaration? He was trying to hint to the Government to put their house in order before he judged on this matter. Is there not detailed comment in the report that raises questions about the scheduling in the curriculum of religious education and about the employment of teachers or, rather, refusing them employment on the basis of religious affiliation or religious practice?
We made a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs on the "allegations" but I am satisfied that the report which is the subject of the question was mentioned in the national press on 14 March 1989 and the impression was given that the rapporteur was making the allegations. This is clearly not the case because paragraph 10 of the report states that there is no question of the special rapporteur making any judgement of these allegations, in accordance with the mandate entrusted to him. I will offer to make available to the Deputy or any Deputy who so wishes, the full text of the Irish response which was sent. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirm that Ireland supports fully the institution and role of the rapporteur and co-operates fully with all requests received from him.