Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he would consider establishing a national education forum.
The forum was suggested by Labour leader Eamon Gilmore who said most of the issues being discussed by the Taoiseach with the various churches, faith and non-confessional bodies centred around the area of education.
"He has given a good outline of the current situation, in which there is a large range of churches and an increasing demand for separate provision. Whether it is desirable from the point of view of integration, separate provision is not something that can be achieved from the point of view of resources. However, if separate provision cannot be made for some churches, this raises wider issues. These should be addressed in a new education forum where the needs of parents and their children are put on the table, along with the wishes of the respective churches and the capacity of the State to respond to the different demands and aspirations for educational provision and a resolution arrived at."
Mr Gilmore said there was not a great deal of time for discussion of these issues because, as Mr Ahern said, the children were already coming into the schools.
Mr Ahern said he would not rule out the suggestion, but he needed to put it to Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin.
"All of the non-confessional organisations, faith communities and churches have set out their positions now and for the next few years. We have discussed this with the department and incorporated it into the process.
"There is an educational forum within the department in which dialogue is conducted directly with the trade unions and the patron bodies, although this may need to be extended. Thus, a forum exists in which these discussions can take place. However, I will put the point to the Minister," he said.
Mr Ahern said that with Government colleagues, he had met the Humanist Association of Ireland, the Religious Society of Friends and the Baha'i community last month.
