Religious bodies win right to hire based on ethos

SCHOOLS and hospitals owned by religious bodies can fire or refuse to hire people if they believe they do not coincide with their ethos, the European Commission has confirmed.

Under Irish legislation, religious bodies of any creed can discriminate against employees on the basis of their religion or behaviour.

The teachers’ unions and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) have long objected to this and have demanded the Government drop it from legislation, saying religious bodies are well protected.