Sex and relationships education that places the marriage of a man and a woman at the top of a family ‘hierarchy’ should not be permitted, even in Catholic schools, according to Sinn Fein’s education spokesperson.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, TD, was commenting on the new RSE supplementary resource for Catholic primary schools called ‘Flourish’.

He told RTE’s Drivetime that the State effectively delegates the teaching of RSE to patrons and school management bodies, by offering a basic outline while schools fill in the blanks and teach through the prism of their ethos.

“What I don’t believe Irish parents want, is that RSE is being taught through this prism for 90% of children . . . there is a very clear statement there about a hierarchy of what a relationship should be, it should be between a man and a woman married”.

He added that it was “wrong” of the State to have delegated this task to school patrons and management bodies.

He said there should instead be a minimum standard that should be taught and that should include that “there is no ‘hierarchy’”.

He welcomed the current review of RSE by the NCCA, but fears that legislation protecting the “characteristic spirit” of schools might frustrate change.

He accepted that it is currently legal for Catholic schools to teach a program such as Flourish, but said “I wish that it was not the case”. He wants a far more prescriptive course from the NCCA and if other legislation were to block it, then that other legislation should be changed also.