School funding policy is not sectarian

ON January 5, 1973 the fifth amendment to the constitution was signed into law.

This amendment, which removed the explicit recognition of the “special position” of the Catholic Church in Ireland, was endorsed by almost 85% of the electorate.

The recognition of the special position of the Catholic Church was deemed, rightly, as sectarian and an affront to the other churches in the State.

I find it somewhat hypocritical that spokespersons for some of the principal Protestant churches in the State are now calling for “special status” in relation to funding for some Protestant fee-paying schools.

While I recognise, and have some sympathy for, the plight of some rural Protestant schools, nonetheless, to label the decision by the Minister for Education to treat all fee-paying schools with equanimity as sectarian and discriminatory is offensive.

Faced with the Irish banks’ bailout, which is the highest as a proportion of economic output in the world, and a global recession to boot, this State is facing into the gravest financial situation in its history and if we are to stabilise the finances and avoid bankruptcy all sections of society must shoulder their share of the burden.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16