Bishops’ Commission for Education meets with the Labour Party

17 Sep 2008

PRESS RELEASE
17 September 2008

Bishops’ Commission for Education meets with the Labour Party

Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Education and Monsignor Jim Cassin, Executive Secretary, met today in Leinster House with Deputy Eamon Gilmore, the Leader of the Labour Party, and Deputy Ruairi Quinn, Spokesperson for Education and Science.

Bishop O’Reilly spoke about current issues in Catholic education and Deputies Gilmore and Quinn outlined the Party’s approach to these and other issues.  Deputy Quinn generously acknowledged the contribution of the Catholic Church to education in Ireland, past and present.           

The meeting discussed:

–  the open and inclusive nature of Catholic schools in our pluralist society;

–  the contribution of the ethos of Catholic schools towards the common good;

–  the inequality of funding throughout the different education sectors;

–  rights of parents to choose an education provider for their children.

Bishop O’Reilly and Mgr Cassin expressed their gratitude for the invitation to meet with Deputies Gilmore and Quinn, who warmly welcomed the opportunity for this dialogue. All participants agreed to maintain close contacts, regarding education issues into the future.

ENDS

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer (087 233 7797)