Vol. 552 No. 1
663 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a controversy concerning the teaching of religion and the preparation for religious sacraments, in all Irish schools; and if his Department will issue a guideline on the way in which the interests of different denominations are to be catered for in these schools. [11143/02]
I am aware of the controversy that has arisen in relation to one particular school. This school is under the patronage of An Foras Patrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán Ghaeilge and its ethos is described by the patron body as being of an inter-denominational character, whereby equal status is to be given to the Catholic and Church of Ireland religions. It is a matter for patron bodies to decide upon the ethos that will apply in individual schools and neither I, nor my Department, have any wish to interfere in such matters.
However, in order to establish if my Department can assist in resolving the controversy that has arisen in relation to this particular school, my officials have been in contact with a number of parties, including the patron body, with a view to exploring whether a process of facilitation would be acceptable to all parties.
Contact is ongoing between my Department and various parties and, in the circumstances, I propose to await the outcome of those contacts before making any comments on this issue.
