Madam, - Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes (April 21st) complains he was "publicly denounced by the Irish Catholic" for his position on Catholic schools - which, he notes, is argued "virtually along the same lines as Archbishop Martin".
While it is true that Dr Martin has warned against Catholic parents "opting out of diversity", it is also true that Mr Hayes's general tone when commenting on denominational schools has been hostile. If his tone belies his actual position then perhaps he should examine the type of language he employs.
For example, last October he attacked the Catholic Church saying it "could not expect to continue the privileged position it had enjoyed for more than 150 years while pursuing a selective agenda at the same time". What does "selective agenda" mean? Is it the practice whereby a denominational school gives preference to children of its own faith? If so, then he comes very close to adopting a position that is, de facto, against denominational education.
He has also sometimes chosen to use very heavily loaded words such as "segregation" when discussing denominational schools. It is widely accepted that Catholic schools are by their nature and mission inclusive schools, while catering for Catholic children who choose a school with a Catholic ethos.
Mr Hayes says he is for parental choice, but in what way? Last November he said people who support parental choice in matters of education were really engaged in "active prejudice against various groups". If his position has changed, he needs to make this clear. He also needs to make clear precisely what he has in mind for denominational schools in the future. What enrolment policy does he envisage for them? Does he favour their replacement with a State-run, multi-denominational model (which appears to be the choice of the INTO)? To date, Mr Hayes has said little or nothing that is favourable to denominational schools and he merely pays lip service to parental choice. Is this also the position of his leader, Enda Kenny?
We await a speech in which Mr Hayes praises denominational schools, acknowledges the good work they are doing in the area of social integration - which was pointed out by Archbishop Martin in his recent speech and is borne out by the actual experience of teachers and schools - and sets out the extent to which he thinks parental choice should be respected.
I agree with Mr Hayes that we should not be afraid of this debate, but the debate needs to be fair-minded and free of emotionally charged language and must deal with the facts. The notion that Church-run schools are somehow intrinsically socially divisive is offensive and is not supported by the evidence. - Yours, etc,
GARRY O'SULLIVAN,
Editor, The Irish Catholic,
Bluebell,
Dublin 12.