Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Government officials met a delegation from the Church of Ireland yesterday in the first of a series of bilateral meetings as part of new talks between the State and the various churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations.
The first structured dialogue between the State and religious leaders to discuss areas of common concern was launched in Government Buildings in February. Over the coming months, the State will hold separate meetings with representatives of the main Christian churches, as well as Jewish and Muslim leaders and humanists.
Mr Ahern, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, Minister of State Brian Lenihan and Government officials attended yesterday's meeting with church representatives. The Most Rev Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Dr John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin, and Very Rev Desmond Harman, Dean of Christ Church, Lady Brenda Sheil, Sam Harper, Janet Maxwell, head of the General Synod services and communication, and Garrett Casey made up the Church of Ireland delegation.
A spokesman for the Church of Ireland last night described the meeting as "cordial and wide-ranging" and said that issues discussed of mutual interest included health, education and integration of foreign nationals.
"Both the Government and the church agreed to remain in contact," the spokesman said.
A Government spokesman said bilateral meetings with other churches and bodies will follow. The draft EU constitution says that the union shall maintain an "open, transparent and regular dialogue with various churches".