Meath East

Sean O Buachalla:

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? Yes

2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution? Yes

3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence? Not at all

4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos? Yes, but depending on how it was worded/planned

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, absolutely

I wholeheartedly support proper secularisation of the organs of state and of the constitution and the provision by the state of secular education and healthcare to those who desire it.

In addition, see the statement provided by the Green Party on behalf of all its candidates.
Green Party statement

Regina Doherty:

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?
Already am working to reform educational choice and provision – we have just applied to patron a multi-faith school in my constituency; awaiting departments decision

2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution?
I believe that we are all equal and that each person’s beliefs or non-beliefs should be equally enshrined in our constitution.

3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence?
No

4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos?
All Hospitals have a Duty of Care. I don’t believe that has anything to do with my religious beliefs. Hospitals should be “businesses” providing us, the patients, with an excellent service. Religion doesn’t come into it.

5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation?
If they aren’t already then they should be so 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?
I assume they currently do – capital gains taxes apply to all property transactions regardless of the seller??

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.
Just to acknowledge that I am a Practicing Catholic and hold my faith very dear to me. I do very much respect the right to have different views to me and so long as they are not harmful, destructive or belittling to other individuals or groups then I will respect that right. Sorry the answers are so brief but I hope they help

In addition, please see the Fine Gael response on behalf of all its candidates.

Michael Gallagher:

See the statement provided by Sinn Fein on behalf of all its candidates.

Dominic Hannigan:

See the statement provided by the Labour Party on behalf of all its candidates.

Shane McEntee:

See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.

No Response Received From:

Thomas Byrne

Nick Killian

Sharon Keogan

Joseph Bonner