Joan Burton
Ceist:12. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he has held meetings with Church leaders and faith communities. [26521/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 June 2018
Ceisteanna (12)
Freagraí scríofa
On 22nd January 2018 I met with representatives of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.
I was accompanied by the Ministers for Justice and Equality; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Education and Skills; Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This was the second in a series of meetings that I will be holding with dialogue partners. We discussed important social and economic issues facing Irish society including Brexit, education issues and the 8th Amendment of the Constitution as well as International issues.
On 31 August last, I held a formal meeting under the structured dialogue process with representatives of the Catholic Church, led by Archbishop Eamon Martin.
I was accompanied at this meeting by the then Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and by the Ministers for Education and Skills; Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport and Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
A wide ranging discussion took place on a range of important national and international issues including the World Meeting of Families in August 2018 and the possibility of a visit to Ireland by the Pope, education issues, the 8th Amendment of the Constitution, Northern Ireland, overseas development aid, social and justice issues.
Churches and faith communities play an important role in Irish life and I think it is very beneficial that Government should engage with them in a structured way.
I also received a courtesy call from Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, as is traditional around Christmas time and the New Year.
Questions Nos. 13 to 34, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 35 to 40, inclusive, answered orally.