Madam, – I wish to express my admiration for the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, when responding to remarks made yesterday by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill.
It is refreshing to see Dr Martin supports the continued level of funding for Protestant schools in the Republic.
A pragmatic approach to pluralism in education will strengthen inter-church relations, not damage them. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I have two children in a Church of Ireland national school in south Dublin. My eldest daughter is in college.
If the Government withdraws its funding of Protestant schools and I find that I can no longer afford the fees after saving for 20 years, because I have no choice but to save and pay fees, can Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe tell me and all the minority families where do we send our children? There are very good Catholic schools in my area, but I am a Protestant and so are my children. I would much rather not have to pay fees but I wish to educate my children in my ethos, which is my right under the Constitution.
Can the Attorney General explain to my children why they won’t have a choice, or is that a secret as well? – Yours, etc,