Mayo TD hits out at what he believes is Social Democrats “anti-pluralist” agenda

What began as a motion on school patronage has quickly turned into a broader ideological clash in the Dáil, with Aontú’s Paul Lawless accusing the Social Democrats of pushing an “anti-pluralist” agenda via their motion on educational reform.

The Social Democrats, led on this issue by Deputy Jen Cummins, want a sharp break from the long-standing tradition of religious patronage in Irish education.

Their motion, debated last Thursday, called for a phasing out of faith-based control in schools and a statutory mechanism to facilitate patronage transfers, effectively putting the future of Catholic and other religious schools on the chopping block.

“They talk about pluralism and choice, but the only acceptable choice seems to be the one that fits their worldview,” he said. “Banning new faith-based schools and scrapping religious instruction is not inclusive, it’s erasure.”

Lawless, a former teacher, went further suggesting the party’s approach to gender issues and puberty blockers is “not based in science,” a sign that this debate is about more than just school governance.

At issue is not just the existence of faith-based schools, but who gets to decide what kind of education Irish children receive.

Cummins insists her party’s motion is grounded in parental demand.

“Parents have been calling for more multi-denominational schools for years. Over 90 per cent of our schools are still under religious patronage, despite the country changing around them,” she said.

The Social Democrats want the State to hit a long-abandoned target of 400 multi-denominational schools by 2030 and to ensure all new schools open under non-religious control.

They’re also demanding the return of a Citizens’ Assembly on the future of education, a plan quietly shelved by the current government.

But Lawless says the real voices being ignored are those of parents and teachers already in the system. He cited the recent INTO congress where 60% of teachers voted to retain faith instruction and sacramental preparation in schools.

“Where divestment is wanted, by teachers and parents, Aontú supports it. But forced divestment is not choice, it’s coercion. We should reflect, not suppress, community values,” he said.