The Minister for Education, Richard Bruton’s proposed changes to the admission policies of faith-based schools have come under attack from members of his own party. His proposal would make it impossible for faith-based schools to prioritise the admission of children of their own faith who live beyond the catchment area of the school. At a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Deputy Colm Brophy and Senator Neale Richmond said the Bill could have unintended implications for minority religious groups, particularly Protestants. Minister Heather Humphreys urged her Cabinet colleague to engage directly with minority religious groupings and warned of unintended consequences for certain schools. Minister Charlie Flanagan told the meeting the proposed legislative changes could be viewed as a threat to the Protestant identity. He said such discussions could potentially have an impact on the political deadlock in Northern Ireland.