Religious monopoly on schools has no place in a republic

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin spoke at a mass to mark the World Day of Peace in Rathgar

Rob Sadlier

There is a country where religious institutions have a near-total monopoly on primary school patronage; a country where parents have their children admitted to a religion just so that they may access the local school; a country where teachers feel compelled to profess certain beliefs when seeking a job or promotion.

Believe it or not, this country is a 'republic'.