O’Sullivan rejects Church’s claim of legal action on ethos

The Education Minister has dismissed concerns that the Church could face a legal challenge or be forced to incorporate teaching into schools if the same-sex marriage referendum passes.

Jan O’Sullivan said religions were protected in law and schools could decide on what they wanted to teach. Her comments came after bishops raised concerns about potential lawsuits.

“Nothing will change apart from the fact that the factual situation will presumably be part of the education in modern history and society and politics in that area,” she told Newstalk’s Lunchtime show yesterday. “But nothing will happen with the right of schools to teach in accordance with their ethos.