Yesterday’s statement by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn that he is looking to transfer the patronage of 50 per cent of Irish primary schools from the Church to some other patronage body appears to have caused some concern to members of the hierarchy.

It is not the fact of some schools being given up that is causing concern, but the sheer number flagged by the Minister.

Insofar as the move by the Minister is designed to increase parental choice, it is to be welcomed.

Certainly, the Minister has said that his move is all about increasing the number of options for parents when it comes to schooling.

That’s all fine and well, but choice, if it is to be meaningful, must be real. In other words, Catholic and other denominational schools must be allowed to be fully and authentically true to their faith. Otherwise, the Minister’s words about choice are mere rhetoric.

For example, his Department should leave Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act well enough alone. Section 37 enables denominational schools and hospitals to hire in such a way as to protect their ethos.

It means that denominational schools can, for example, refuse to hire those whose lifestyle or beliefs openly contradict its ethos.

Such schools must also be allowed to impart what their religion teaches without being accused of ‘discriminating’.

In addition, there have been strong accusations that the admissions policies of denominational schools ‘discriminate’ because they enroll children of their own faith ahead of other children. Words like ‘apartheid’ and ‘segregate’ have been used in this context.

If the present Government does not guarantee the present level of autonomy enjoyed by denominational schools in these matters, then it is hard to see how work on handing over some Catholic schools to new patron bodies can progress.