Taoisaech Bertie Ahern has said that as a Catholic his faith "is both a personal matter for me as well as being an important part of my life and of my perspective of public affairs".
He said that as Taoiseach he represented "equally, not only Catholics, but people of all faiths and none. This is not only my constitutional duty; it is at the heart of my republican values."
Writing in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper, he said that the "assertion of the importance of the spiritual and the non-material is a powerful antidote to a purely functional view of human beings and society. In that sense, religious belief and practice is not a purely private matter, with no place in public discourse. On the contrary, a truly democratic and inclusive society values its faith, community and respects the voice of those who offer spiritual insight and leadership."
He said "there is a fundamental goodness in people, reflected in all the major faiths, that accepts responsibility to provide support for people where it is needed". Beyond "the inherent value and prophetic impact of their social service" they played "a vital role as a source of values and meaning for our people".
He hoped that dialogue between the Government, churches and non-confessional organisations would "commence in coming months" and believed this "must be transparent and open" and facilitated under the Freedom of Information legislation.