Catherine Murphy:
1. Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos?
It is my view that publicly funded schools should not reflect any particular religious ethos.
2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution?
Yes; I believe Ireland is a secular state.
3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence?
No. I would support the deletion of the criminalisation of blasphemy.
4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos?
It is my view that publicly funded hospitals, or any other form of publicy funded organisations should not be permitted to impose a specific religious ethos.
5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation?
Yes
6. Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities?
Yes
7. If you wish to provide a brief general statements of your views on the future development of secularisation in Ireland, or to highlight any previous comments you have made on related issues, please do so.
You may find it helpful to read my election policies at http://www.kildare.ie/community/CatherineMurphy/03_elections/
Emmet Stagg:
Answers as follows:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. I respect the right of citizens to practice their religion but there should be a clear separation of Church and State and that includes institutions and activities funded by the State.
In addition, please see the Labour Party response on behalf of all its candidates.
John McGinley:
My answers are as follows:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. A clear separation of Church and State
In addition, please see the Labour Party response on behalf of all its candidates.
Eric Doyle-Higgins:
1. Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos?
In present circumstances no. We have a difficult enough job keeping schools going as it is without trying to build and fund more.
2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution?
No. I suggest that it would be more useful to redraft our Constitution from scratch rather than to spend time on piecemeal reform. And yes I would certainly wish to support that process. And no, I would not wish to see the new document incorporate the religious overtones of the current document. But yes, we would need to guarantee religious freedom therein.
3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence?
No. I do not understand what Minister Ahern was at in that respect. Maybe you can enlighten me.
4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos?
No. Nor would I, were you to establish a hospital, seek to oblige you to have a religious ethos.
5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation?
I think Michael McDowell put it best when he equated Canon Law with the rules of a private members’ golf club. But should we censure a bishop who dismissed a parson for denying the
existence of God ? Absolutes only take us so far and not far enough for me to agree with your proposition.
6. Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities?
I think you will find they pay tax in accordance with the law. Or at least that they claim to do so. I am a strict one on taxation, I do not tolerate evasion and if you would need any assistance in furnishing a report to the Revenue Commissioners then I would be happy to point you in the right direction.
7. If you wish to provide a brief general statements of your views on the future development of secularisation in Ireland, or to highlight any previous comments you have made on related issues, please do so.
Thank you for the opportunity to do so. No, I have not made any such pronouncement. I have only one prescription for peace in these things, I recommend tolerance, lots of it, to and for everyone.
Martin Kelly:
See the statement provided by Sinn Fein on behalf of all its candidates.
Bernard Durkan:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
Anthony Lawlor:
See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.
Shane Fitzgerald
See the statement provided by the Green Party on behalf of all its candidates.
No Response Received From:
Aine Brady
Michael Fitzpatrick
Bart Murphy
Michael Beirne
0 Comments
No comments!
There are no comments yet, but you can be first to comment this article.