We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION Joe McHugh has issued a statement this evening in response to what he characterised as “misinformation” around surveys on attitudes towards a possible change to the patronage of schools, and said “Christmas will not be cancelled”.
McHugh made the comments after it was reported that one of two schools opposed to having their patronage transferred to multi-denominational schools claimed that Christmas fairs, carol services and nativity plays would no longer be held after a school is transferred.
Furthermore, it was claimed that St. Patrick’s Day, St. Brigid’s Day and Easter would no longer be celebrated in schools either, the Irish Independent reported.
The change in patronage would affect at least two schools in the Portmarnock-Malahide-Kinsealy area of Dublin, and staff at Scoil an Duinnínigh and St Marnock’s NS are opposed to any changes, the Independent reported.
The divestment process forms part of the Department of Education’s efforts to provide greater diversity in schools and reduce the dominance of the Catholic Church in education.
In a statement yesterday, Educate Together described this characterisation of multi-denominational and equality-based schools as “incorrect and misleading”.
Joe McHugh / TwitterA short message on the misinformation around surveys on attitudes towards a possible change of patron in schools... pic.twitter.com/wogQSyivtA
— Joe McHugh (@McHughJoeTD) April 3, 2019
McHugh said this evening that the sharing of inaccurate information about what happens when the patron of a school is changed has created “fear and uncertainty”.
“School authorities have a duty to share accurate and appropriate information,” he said.
Just to be clear – Christmas will not be cancelled. Neither will any other typical school holiday like Easter or St Patrick’s Day. Pancake Tuesday will not be banned. Nor will holidays or celebrations associated with the ancient Celtic/pagan festival of Halloween.
He said that the department assessing areas for new patrons “is not about forcing change”.
McHugh added: “No decisions or reconfiguration will be required in September. I am appealing directly to schools, management bodies and boards of management not to issue claims that have no basis in fact.”
With reporting from Cónal Thomas
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
leglaise it tax it and control it and watch the country better it’s self from the extra revenue from it look at the likes of America and put 1 step forward not 10 steps back as normal
@Mick Mccabe: “look at the likes of America” with rose tinted glasses?
@Mick Mccabe: Good idea and use the money to match the plant pots in Grafton Street that are in north Dublin.
@Mick Mccabe: Amen.
@Mick Mccabe: is that not just for medicinal use in the US?
@GerryCummins: “The non-medical use of cannabis is legal in 9 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) plus the District of Columbia, and decriminalized in another 13 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
@Mick Mccabe: if they legalized big pharma industry would collapse that is what it is all about money..
Ive never seen a stoner attack anything at 3 am other than a burger, yet perfectly legal to down a gut full of vodka n redbull and strut out the club like your connor mcgregor looking for trouble! Some logic
@Jonathan Whelan: seen plenty that couldnt string a sentence together though….you know wharra mean man..yeah man…
@GerryCummins: true enough, but they aint the ones clogging up A&E’s and urinating n vomiting after clubs in a town near you!
Once again, Gardaí resources being wasted on combatting something that should be legal, regulated, and taxed.
@Todd Hebert: also, were it legal these growhouses wouldn’t exist
@Todd Hebert:
The Gardai did the right thing to shut down this criminal enterprise run id imagine not by cheech and chong but by gangs. It should of course be legalised so Gardai can target heroin and coke dealers but the political will isnt there. The yanks got it made illegal originally and ironically they are now the ones legalising it.
Legalise the stuff for God’s sake.
Legalise it; refine it, tax it and build hospitals; schools and homes.
Junkies? It’s weed for crying out loud, should be legalized…
2.7 million……stop
I can smell it from here!, anyone out there with menopausal symptoms I would recommend giving it a go!….
I think cannabis should be legal for many medical conditions. The therapeutic window (dose of a drug between a medical effect and a toxic effect) of cannabis is very narrow, that’s why it is used with caution. Any therapeutic drugs – natural or synthetic need to be used with wisdom, not recreation, because all drugs have side effects.
@Ania_on_coffee: I take your point, but you must understand cannabis is lovely.
@Honeybadger197: We should legalize it to everyone because it’s lovely? LOL I’m sure it’s probably lovely yes
@Ania_on_coffee: An occasional bowl is a beautiful thing.
@Honeybadger197:
@Fake Avast: It’s illegal in Ukraine. But some people grow it in the countryside in their backgardens. As for Russia – i don’the know.
@ Ania
I think you are not correct. The difference between medical and toxic effect in cannabis is very wide.
Cannabis does not have a toxic effect on the body unless the dose is huge, More than you could physically take!
Excellent news.
Great
Can you imagine if the country was run by stoners?
Nothing would ever get done.
@nichalo
Yeah man that richard branson and steve jobs never got anything done right
@Niccolo Saccho:
I disagree. Although it’s an individual thing I guess. I tend to use pot mostly whilst doing activities. Not driving of course.
@Niccolo Saccho: totally agree. No rapes, no senseless domestic violence, no pissing puking on the streets.
What horror it would be to live in a country where no such thing would be done!
have your say