I wish to raise the issue of education this morning. I got a note from the local school on Wednesday telling me that our two children would be spending the following day at mass. There are two big religions in my household, Limerick hurling and Tottenham Hotspur, although not necessarily in that order, but we do not practise any other religion. In fairness to the school when I wrote to it, our children were allowed not to have to spend the day in the church, and I was pleased with that.

However, it brings to mind the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, is currently pursuing. It does purport to end the baptism barrier, which I welcome, but I must ask the question, given the diverse nature of our country in 2017, because even by Fine Gael standards the Bill is particularly conservative.

That record has been played.

It is nice to have the Leader back. It does not tackle the fact that 96% of schools-----

The script does not change this week.

-----are still controlled by the Catholic Church at national level. For a diverse country, one that purports to be a republic, we must and can do better than that.

We have the best education system in Europe.

Senator Gavan should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. What I am seeking is a debate on the issue. We need to define, for example, what is meant by a non-denominational school and a multidenominational school. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has asked for that. In 2017, it is not appropriate for almost 96% of national schools to be under the control of the Catholic Church. We need to move to a democratic model of education. As a republican party, that is our policy and our position. I ask the Leader to bring the Minister to the House in order that we can debate his admissions Bill and, it is hoped, make it a lot more progressive than it is currently.

It is the most democratic system.