Category Archives: Politics

Atheist Ireland welcomes new forum on Catholic patronage of Irish schools

By Michael Nugent | Published: March 11, 2011

Atheist Ireland welcomes the decision by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn to establish a forum to identify how schools can be transferred out of Catholic patronage as a matter of immediate priority.

We hope to participate as fully as possible in this forum as an advocacy group for an ethical and secular society.

This has the potential to be the most significant step towards a secular education system ever taken by an Irish Education Minister. However, it is important that the forum vindicates the right of all children to a secular education, and does not leave behind children in geographical areas where there are small numbers of nonreligious people.

Atheist Ireland wants a secular education system based on international human rights law. Parents have a right to not have their children indoctrinated at school with religious beliefs contrary to those of their parents. In Ireland, in practical terms, most nonreligious parents are denied this right.

In fact, it is impossible for this right to be respected in Roman Catholic schools. The Irish Catholic Bishops say that “Catholic schools seek to reflect a distinctive vision of life and a corresponding philosophy of education, based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This ethos permeates the entire curriculum.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has already told Ireland to increase its efforts to ensure that nondenominational primary education is widely available in all parts of the State.

And the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that children should be taught about religious culture and ethics in an objective, critical and pluralist manner. It has also ruled that primary schools in Italy should not display religious symbols on school walls.

Atheist Ireland believes that State education should be secular. Children should be taught about the diversity of religious beliefs in an objective manner. Children should be educated in critical thinking and the distinction between faith and reason as a guide to knowledge. Faith formation should be a matter for parents and religions.

Atheist Ireland wants a secular state for a pluralist people. This nuance is important: a pluralist society, with freedom of conscience, religion and belief, is best protected by a secular government, with public policy formed by applying reason to evidence.

Also posted in Education | 5 Comments

Atheist Ireland submission to Programme for Government negotiating teams

By Michael Nugent | Published: March 1, 2011

Atheist Ireland has sent the following submission to the members of the Fine Gael and Labour Party negotiating teams for the Programme for Government.

As you begin setting out an agreed Programme for Government for the incoming administration, Atheist Ireland wants to congratulate your parties on your recent successes. We suggest that you will be taking office at a time when the Irish people are more liberal, secular and multicultural than ever before.

Atheist Ireland respectfully requests that you consider addressing the following four important issues and reach accommodations on their delivery:

1. Education
2. Constitutional Reform
3. Blasphemy
4. Employment and Equality Legislation

1. Education:

The Fine Gael manifesto made a clear commitment to examining the schools patronage system (p. 34): “Fine Gael will give parents a real say in how schools are governed. We believe the current situation with over 90% of primary schools under Church patronage is not reflective of the needs of a modern Irish school system. We will hold a National Forum on Education to allow all stakeholders, including parents to engage in an open debate on a change of patronage in communities where it is appropriate and necessary.”

Similarly, in the Labour Party manifesto there is a detailed statement on the question of primary school patronage: “Labour wants to reform our education system so that it is more democratic, and recognises the diversity of ethos within modern Irish society. Labour will initiate a time-limited Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. This national Forum would be open to participation from all the stakeholders in the education sector. The Forum will have concise terms of reference and sit for a maximum of 12 months. The recommendations of the Forum will be drawn up into a White Paper for consideration and implementation by the Government to ensure that our education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number of schools which cater for all religions and none. As part of this process, parents and the local community should also have a say in the patronage of existing and future schools, for example by direct ballot. Labour in government will ensure Educate Together is recognized as a patron at second level by the Department of Education and Skills” (pp. 61-62).

Given that both your parties have pledged the establishment of a forum to deal with school patronage, Atheist Ireland very much hopes that any Programme for Government will provide a definitive statement of the terms of reference, composition and workload of such a body.

Other intentions included in the Labour Party manifesto are of tremendous interest to us, and we hope that your negotiations will result in their inclusion in an agreed document:

  • The document refers to schools which will move from religious to public ownership (p. 63): “Labour in government will negotiate the transfer of school infrastructure currently owned by the 18 religious orders cited in the Ryan Report, at no extra cost, to the State. The existing patronage and activities of these schools will remain unchanged.”
  • As part of its Fairness agenda, the Labour Party makes a commitment to: “ensure the five teaching colleges introduce a Freedom of Conscience clause so that trainee teachers no longer are obliged to undergo compulsory religious education” (p. 78).

2. Constitutional Reform:

Both parties have clearly recognized the pressing need for substantial political reform, as part of which a package of constitutional reform will be necessary. While the Fine Gael manifesto asserts that the ‘Constitution Day’ referendum “will not address the articles dealing with rights/social policy as we want the focus to stay on political reform” (p. 62), nevertheless in the statement which Fine Gael provided to Atheist Ireland recently (see http://www.atheist.ie/information/2011-general-election/fine-gael-response/), the party said that: “if elected to Government, Fine Gael will consider the continued relevance of religious references in the Constitution as part of our programme of Constitutional review.”

Given that – and the importance which the Labour Party has placed on an open and comprehensive review of the Constitution – Atheist Ireland asks that a Programme for Government will give a clear commitment to holding such a review within the term of the next Dáil. We hope in particular to see a detailed timetable and mandate for a Constitutional Convention encompassing the participation of NGOs representing the full spectrum of public opinion and empowered to consider the reframing of our Constitution in secular rather than religious terms.

3. Blasphemy:

Both parties are extremely clear on the need for reform in this area. The relevant statements given to Atheist Ireland during the election campaign were:

  • “Fine Gael does not believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence and made this point repeatedly during the debate on the Defamation Act 2009.”
  • The Labour Party “Conference has previously agreed to hold a referendum proposing to delete the word ‘blasphemous’ from Article 4.1.6 of the Constitution and to repeal any legislation that made reference to blasphemy as a form of defamation.”

We remind you that the Islamic states at the United Nations have adopted the wording of the Irish blasphemy law as part of what they want implemented internationally.

Since your parties already have such similar positions here, Atheist Ireland hopes that a Programme for Government will provide a firm commitment to legislate within the lifetime of the new Dáil, after (if required) either holding a referendum on this issue or else incorporating the issue with other proposed constitutional changes in a multiple referendum.

4. Equality and Employment Legislation:

Here again, there is already a measure of agreement between your parties. When Atheist Ireland asked during the election campaign if you would vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation, Fine Gael’s reply was emphatic – “Yes.” The Labour Party was equally clear: “We believe that all organizations, religious or secular, should be treated equally. We acknowledge the enormous amount of work that many organizations undertake in this society. In relation to employment legislation we simply believe this should apply equally to all.”

Atheist Ireland requests that a Programme for Government makes a concrete pledge to repeal those sections of equality and employment legislation under which religious organizations are currently exempt from the standards expected of all other bodies.

In particular, we refer to Section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000, which allows schools to discriminate on religious grounds; and Sections 12 and 37 of the Employment Equality Act 1998, which allow teacher training colleges, schools and hospitals to discriminate on religious grounds. Also, the Charities Act 2009 includes the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose but does not include the advancement of nonreligious philosophical lifestances. We believe neither should be charitable purposes, and certainly not one but not the other.

If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Many thanks for your consideration – and best wishes for the vital task you are engaged in of producing a programme of action for a stable and effective government.

Also posted in Secularism | 3 Comments

How did the parties and candidates reply to our questions on secular policies?

By Michael Nugent | Published: February 23, 2011

Atheist Ireland and the Humanist Association of Ireland are asking voters to vote for candidates who support secular policies in the Irish General Election this Friday.

We realise that most people will vote based on economic policies or party allegiance. In such cases we are asking people that, if several candidates share your views on these wider issues, to please choose the candidate that most supports a rational, ethical, secular Ireland.

Atheist Ireland has received official replies, from the parties and independent candidates, to six questions that we asked them on secular policy issues. You can read the answers from candidates in each constituency here on our website. We also have a secular analysis of each party’s manifesto, written by our lobbying officer, Dr Conor McGrath, a former Westminster lobbyist and university lecturer in political lobbying.

The six secular policy questions that Atheist Ireland asked each party and candidate were about providing nonreligious schools, removing religious references from the Constitution, repealing the blasphemy law, providing nonreligious hospitals, making religions subject to equality and employment law, and making religions pay tax on income that does not come from charitable activities.

We summarise below the secular policy positions of the parties, in alphabetical order, and a link to details of the secular policies of independent candidates in each constituency.

Fianna Fail

The Fianna Fail manifesto contains no commitments at all to advance the secular agenda which Atheist Ireland is working to achieve. Fianna Fail did not answer any of our six secular policy questions.

Fine Gael

The Fine Gael manifesto raises the future possibility of some significant advances, but it is less clear in terms of setting out what the precise policy outcomes would be.

  • A national forum on education: having 90% of primary schools under Church patronage does not reflect the needs of modern Ireland.
  • A law recognising advance healthcare directives for patients facing end-of-life and palliative care treatment.

On our six secular policy questions, Fine Gael answered as follows:

  • Will establish a national forum on education patronage.
  • Will consider the relevance of religious references in the Constitution.
  • Blasphemy should not be a criminal offence.
  • No plans to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos.
  • Would vote to treat religions equally under equality and employment law.
  • No plans to tax the income of churches as charitable organisations.

Green Party

The Green Party manifesto has very little to say (and then only in quite vague terms) on the policy issues of relevance to the secular perspective.

  • A referendum to establish a citizens assembly which, when elected, would draft a new Constitution which would be put to another referendum.
  • Review the Education Act to look at issues such as Boards of Management, patronage and enrolment.

On our six secular policy questions, The Green Party answered as follows:

  • Will review the Education Act to look at patronage and enrolment.
  • The public should be consulted before proposing Constitutional changes.
  • Supports a referendum to resolve the issues surrounding blasphemy.
  • Health care delivery systems should reflect the diversity of society.
  • Equality and employment law should apply to everyone equally.
  • All earners should contribute fairly to the tax system.

Labour Party

The Labour Party manifesto is detailed and specific. While some secular issues are not addressed, there are a number of important and constructive reforms promised.

  • A convention to draft a new Constitution within a year.
  • A time-limited forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary education sector to provide a diverse number of schools for all religions and none.
  • Will ensure Educate Together is recognized as a patron at second level.
  • Will negotiate the transfer of school infrastructure currently owned by the 18 religious orders cited in the Ryan Report, at no extra cost, to the State.
  • Ensure that trainee teachers no longer are obliged to undergo compulsory religious education.

On our six secular policy questions, The Labour Party answered as follows:

  • Compelling case for a new system of schools patronage.
  • New Constitution to recognise diverse and multi-cultural Ireland.
  • Referendum to remove blasphemy clause from Constitution.
  • Hospital services must respect rights of all in a diverse society.
  • Would vote to treat religions equally under equality and employment law.
  • Wealthiest organisations in society must pay their share in taxation.

Sinn Fein

The Sinn Féin manifesto suggests that the party may be receptive to many of Atheist Ireland’s key policy concerns, but more layers of detail are needed.

  • An all-Ireland forum to draft a new Constitution based on democracy and international human rights standards.
  • Recognise and resource Educate Together and other non-denominational schools at primary and secondary level where there is demand for them.
  • Build an Ireland of Equals where everyone’s rights are guaranteed, free of divisions caused by partition, sectarianism, racism, and other forms of discrimination.

On our six secular policy questions, Sinn Fein answered as follows:

  • Supports the ending of Church control of primary schools.
  • Supports the removal of religious references from the Constitution.
  • Blasphemy should not be a criminal offence.
  • Public hospitals should not be governed by a religious ethos.
  • Would vote to treat religions equally under equality and employment law.
  • Will consider the issue of churches paying tax on non-charitable income.

Socialist Party

We did not receive a reply from the Socialist Party as an organisation. However, all of the replies that we received from individual Socialist Party candidates answered all of our six questions positively.

Workers’ Party

The Workers’ Party manifesto is focused on presenting a clear ideological approach to economic recovery, but includes a commitment to a new secular Constitution.

  • Ireland needs a new secular Constitution, not based on Victorian property values, Catholic morality, and Vatican corporatist principles.

On our six secular policy questions, The Workers’ Party answered as follows:

  • Supports the right of access to schools with no religious ethos.
  • Supports the removal of religious references from the Constitution.
  • Blasphemy should not be a criminal offence.
  • State funded hospitals should not be governed by a religious ethos.
  • Would vote to treat religions equally under equality and employment law.
  • Will consider the issue of churches paying tax on non-charitable income.

Individual Candidates

You can read the answers from individual candidates, including independents, to our six secular policy questions at the following webpage:

http://www.atheist.ie/information/2011-general-election/

The answers are categorised by constituency to help voters to identify which secular candidates they have the opportunity to vote for.

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Secular analysis of the Fine Gael manifesto

By Grania | Published: February 15, 2011

Written by Dr. Conor McGrath

The main election manifesto of Fine Gael – titled ‘Let’s Get Ireland Working – can be found at http://www.finegael.ie/upload/docs/Manifesto.pdf.

The document is lengthy and detailed, covering the whole range of government Departments and public sector activity. As the title indicates, there is a strong concentration on economic recovery. However, some elements of the document will be of particular interest to those with a secular perspective.

On education, Fine Gael makes clear its commitment to examining the schools patronage system (p. 34): “Fine Gael will give parents a real say in how schools are governed. We believe the current situation with over 90% of primary schools under Church patronage is not reflective of the needs of a modern Irish school system. We will hold a National Forum on Education to allow all stakeholders, including parents to engage in an open debate on a change of patronage in communities where it is appropriate and necessary.”

One aspect of the party’s health proposals could potentially have implications for the religious ethos of hospitals. Fine Gael states (p. 50) that it will implement “legislation to provide for recognition of Advance Care Directives” under which patients could indicate their personal wishes as regards end-of-life and palliative care treatment.

In common with the other major parties, Fine Gael’s manifesto includes a section on political reform. However, the party does not commit itself to a comprehensive review of the Constitution. Fine Gael does intend to hold a number of referenda within 12 months of taking office, on what it terms ‘Constitution Day’. Among the questions which would be posed on that day are the abolition of the Seanad, and changes to the Dail, presidency, government and judiciary. These could include: the investigative powers of Dail committees; judges’ salaries; judicial misconduct; changing the term of office of the presidency from 7 to 5 years; the creation of a Civil Court of Appeal and a system of family courts; and the electoral system.  Fine Gael goes on to explicitly assert, though, that: “This referendum will not address the articles dealing with rights/social policy as we want the focus to stay on political reform” (p. 62). Thus, for Fine Gael issues about the reframing of the Constitution in secular rather than religious terms are not an immediate priority (although the party has indicated that it would be willing to consider such issues at a later stage).

Overall, then, while the Fine Gael manifesto raises the future possibility of some significant advances, it is less clear in terms of setting out what the precise policy outcomes would be in these areas.

We will be publishing an analysis of each party’s manifesto as they become available.

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Secular analysis of the Workers’ Party manifesto

By Grania | Published: February 13, 2011

Written by Dr Conor McGrath

The main election manifesto of the Workers’ Party can be found at http://www.workerspartyireland.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/wpmanifesto.pdf.

The document is fairly brief, and concentrates very heavily on economic policy. However, one section will be of interest to those with a secular perspective.

Part of the discussion on political reform includes the following statement: “In the long term the Workers Party reiterates its view, outlined on many previous occasions, that this state needs a completely new constitution. The 1937 constitution, based as it is on Victorian property values, catholic morality, and vatican corporatist principles, is no longer fit for purpose. Pending that new secular constitution we believe that there are certain steps which can be immediately taken.”

Overall, then, while the bulk of the Workers’ Party manifesto is cleared focused on presenting a clear ideological approach to economic recovery, secularists can certainly welcome the commitment to redrafting an entirely new Constitution.

We will be publishing an analysis of each party’s manifesto as they become available.

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Secular analysis of the Green Party manifesto

By Grania | Published: February 12, 2011

Written by Dr Conor McGrath

The main Green Party manifesto – titled ‘Renewing Ireland’ – is available at http://vote.greenparty.ie/downloads/manifesto.pdf.

The document covers the full range of government Departments, though doesn’t get into a huge amount of detail in many areas – banking reform, for instance, is dealt with in 5 sentences. Economic recovery is one of the main areas of the manifesto, and there is naturally some focus on the ‘green economy’.

Only two elements of the Green Party manifesto relate to the secular public policy agenda. In common with all the other main parties, the Green Party would initiate a review of the Constitution. They would hold a referendum later this year on the establishment of a 40 members Citizens Assembly (to then be elected) to draft within 18 months a new Constitution – which would then itself be the subject of another referendum (p. 13). There is no real detail here on what aspects of the existing Constitution the Green Party would particularly wish to see changed.

On education policy, the Green Party would: “Review the Education Act to look at issues such as Boards of Management, patronage and enrolment” (p. 21). Again, the manifesto does not provide any additional information on what precise aspects of school patronage would be examined.

Overall then, the Green Party manifesto – while full of (usually uncosted) proposals by which to integrate environmental concerns with wider policy on economics, agriculture, transport, and so on – has very little to say (and then only in quite vague terms) on the policy issues of relevance to the secular perspective.


We will be publishing an analysis of each party’s manifesto as they become available.

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Secular analysis of the Labour Party manifesto

By Grania | Published: February 11, 2011

Written by Dr Conor McGrath

The main Labour Party manifesto – titled ‘One Ireland: Jobs, Reform, Fairness’ – is available at their website here.

This is a lengthy and detailed manifesto, which covers the whole range of policy areas and government activity. It proposes many specific actions on economic recovery, employment and the public sector, across all Departments.

From a secular perspective, a number of the sections are of particular interest. On political reform, for instance, Labour would establish a Constitutional Convention with “an open mandate … to review the Constitution and draft a reformed one within a year” (p. 46). Of the 90 members of this body, 30 would come from the Oireachtas, 30 from ordinary citizens chosen at random, and 30 from “members of civil society organisations and other people with relevant legal or academic expertise” (p. 46). This latter section raises the possibility of achieving a representative of the secular perspective as a member of the Convention.

A new Oireachtas Investigations, Oversight and Petitions Committee would be established to examine “matters of national concern” and to receive submissions from “individuals and groups in the community seeking the redress of grievances connected with the public services of the State and with the public administration generally” (p. 47). This may provide a new avenue for raising particular concerns about the relationship between church and state.

The education section in the Labour Party manifesto has a strong focus on issues around around the patronage of schools. The existing Vocational Educational Committees are to be developed into Local Education Boards (p. 61). There is a detailed statement on the question of primary school patronage: “Labour wants to reform our education system so that it is more democratic, and recognises the diversity of ethos within modern Irish society. Labour will initiate a time-limited Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. This national Forum would be open to participation from all the stakeholders in the education sector. The Forum will have concise terms of reference and sit for a maximum of 12 months. The recommendations of the Forum will be drawn up into a White Paper for consideration and implementation by the Government to ensure that our education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number of schools which cater for all religions and none. As part of this process, parents and the local community should also have a say in the patronage of existing and future schools, for example by direct ballot. Labour in government will ensure Educate Together is recognized as a patron at second level by the Department of Education and Skills” (pp. 61-62).

The document also refers to schools which will move from religious to public ownership (p. 63): “Labour in government will negotiate the transfer of school infrastructure currently owned by the 18 religious orders cited in the Ryan Report, at no extra cost, to the State. The existing patronage and activities of these schools will remain unchanged.”

As part of its Fairness agenda, the Labour Party makes a particular commitment to: “ensure the five teaching colleges introduce a Freedom of Conscience clause so that trainee teachers no longer are obliged to undergo compulsory religious education” (p. 78). While Labour will amend the employment equality legislation to prevent schools from discriminating against teachers on the grounds of their sexuality, there is no similar pledge as regards discrimination on the basis of religious belief/non-belief.

Overall then, the Labour Party manifesto is detailed and specific. While some issues on the secular agenda are not addresses in the document, there are a number of important and constructive reforms promised which can certainly be welcomed.

We will be publishing an analysis of each party’s manifesto as they become available.

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Secular analysis of the Sinn Féin manifesto

By Grania | Published: February 11, 2011

Written by Dr Conor McGrath

The main Sinn Féin manifesto – titled ‘There Is A Better Way’ – is available at http://www.sinnfein.ie/files/SF_GeneralElectionManifesto2011.pdf.

The document is relatively short, concentrates heavily on economic recovery and public services, and lists a large number of (often uncosted) priorities without offering a huge amount of detail on each.

However, it does contain some commitments of interest from a secular perspective. It includes, for instance, a pledge (p. 28) to “Recognise and resource Educate Together and other non-denominational schools at primary and secondary level where there is demand for them.”

In the section on political reform, Sinn Féin promises the creation of an all-Ireland Constitutional Forum, which would be tasked with drafting a new Constitution (p. 33), “fully reflective of the values and aspirations of the Irish people today, soundly based on democratic principles and international human rights standards.” No particular mention is made in this regard of the values and rights of the non-religious, but nonetheless the establishment of a body with those terms of reference would certainly provide opportunities for the case to be made that the Constitution should be reframed in a secular way.

There is in the manifesto a noticeable emphasis on equality and human rights – again, not specifically as regards a secular perspective, but this overall framework suggests that Sinn Féin would be open to addressing issues on the secular agenda. For instance, the party commits itself explicitly (p. 35) to, “Build an Ireland of Equals where everyone’s rights are guaranteed, free of divisions caused by partition, sectarianism, racism, and other forms of discrimination”. It would develop an Equality Strategy, “that draws together previously fragmented strategies to eliminate discrimination and introduce real equality and establish an Oireachtas Committee on Equality and Human Rights to monitor implementation of our new equality and human rights laws” (p. 35). Sinn Féin would require that all “law and policy including budgets” would be subject to a form of equality-proofing such that equality measures here would be “at least equivalent” to those which are in effect in Northern Ireland (p. 36).

Finally, given Atheist Ireland’s role as an advocacy group, Sinn Féin’s commitment to “protect the community and voluntary sectors right to engage in advocacy” (p. 36) is of interest.

Overall then, the Sinn Féin manifesto is full of promises, and suggests that the party may be receptive to many of Atheist Ireland’s key policy concerns, but much would depend on how the promises develop as more layers of detail are built up around them.

We will be publishing an analysis of each party’s manifesto as they become available.

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Secular analysis of the Fianna Fáil manifesto

By Grania | Published: February 10, 2011

Written by Dr Conor McGrath

Fianna Fáil:

The main Fianna Fáil manifesto – titled ‘Real Plan, Better Future’ – is available at http://fail.3cdn.net/9bab6b928c527f3728_60am6gzlc.pdf.

It is relatively short, and concentrates on only two areas – economic recovery, and political reform. From a secular perspective, the manifesto says virtually nothing of interest on key issues, including primary/secondary education and human rights/civil liberties.

The political reform section starts more promisingly, stating (on p. 28) that, “Irish society today is so different from 1937 that it would be surprising if an electoral and government system established then was still appropriate.” This raises the possibility of important reform as, by implication, it would equally be surprising if the Constitution was still appropriate for a modern and liberal Ireland. And, indeed, Fianna Fáil goes on to pledge a Citizen’s Assembly to discuss political reform.

However, the manifesto asserts very explicitly that, “We do not support the proposal for a constitutional convention to tackle redrawing the entire constitution…. Grandiose proposals to scrap or redraw the entire Constitution offer no positive outcomes except delaying action on the more important task of renewing our political and governing system (pp. 32 and 33). Fianna Fáil, therefore, offers no prospect of an updated Constitution framed in secular rather than religious language.

Four particular issues which require constitutional amendment – and which Fianna Fáil support – are mentioned: rights of children; parents in the home; creation of a court of appeal; and restrictions on parliamentary inquiries. Significantly, not mentioned is the referendum which Dermot Ahern agreed to hold on removing the reference to blasphemy from the Constitution.

Overall then, the Fianna Fáil manifesto contains no commitments at all to advance the secular agenda which Atheist Ireland is working to achieve.


We will be publishing an analysis of each party’s manifesto as they become available.

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Please vote for secular candidates in the General Election

By Michael Nugent | Published: February 9, 2011

Atheist Ireland is asking people to vote for General Election candidates of all parties and none whose policies are closest to our secular agenda. As we approach the election, we will be publicly informing people about which candidates best fit this description based on their responses to questions we have asked them. In doing so we are not endorsing the policies of any candidate or party on any issue other than secularism.

As we stated in our first post on this issue, we realise that most people will vote based on economic policies or party allegiance. In such cases we are asking people that, if several candidates share your views on these wider issues, to please choose the candidate that most supports a rational, ethical, secular Ireland.

Why are we taking this political initiative? Atheist Ireland has a constitution that outlines two broad aims: to promote atheism and reason over superstition and supernaturalism; and to promote an ethical and secular Ireland where the state does not support or fund or give special treatment to any religion.

The second of these aims involves an unambiguously political project. We are involved in political advocacy to change laws to make the State more secular. This is more likely to happen when we elect candidates who are committed to secular values, regardless of what party they happen to be affiliated to.

There are two ways that we can judge which candidates are most likely to advance a secular agenda if they are elected. The first way is to examine their actual record in the outgoing Oireachtas, and the second way is to examine their proposals and manifestos for the incoming Oireachtas.

With regard to the actual record of outgoing Oireachtas members, since Atheist Ireland was formed, we have had constructive discussions with elected politicians of all parties and none. The two politicians who have been most responsive to our agenda are Ivana Bacik and Ruairi Quinn. They have publicly supported our policy proposals and have incorporated them into legislative amendments.

With regard to the proposals of candidates for the incoming election, we have written to all of them, asking them six questions about secular issues. By early next week we will have analysed the responses of all candidates and parties, and we will be asking people to vote for the candidates in their constituency whose responses are closest to our policies on these issues.

Between now and then, we will continue to publish all responses as they come in. Please inform yourself about the secular policies of the candidates in your constituency, and please vote for candidates who support a secular Ireland.

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