O'Loan criticises Robinson over 'attack' on Catholic schools

The North Antrim Assemblyman said: "Make no mistake about this. Peter Robinson has launched an attack on Catholic schools the like of which never emerged as a formal proposal during all the years of monopoly Unionist government at Stormont. It took years to get full funding for Catholic schools.

“This recognised the rights of parents to choose a faith-based education and the public benefit that a faith-based education provides. It would be a deeply retrograde step to try to turn the clock back.

"In more settled societies, the value of faith-based schools is widely recognised,” said Mr O’Loan.

“Parents, even if they do not share the religious ethos of the school, often choose to send their children there because they recognise the extra educational value coming from a values-based school.

“In no way are such schools seen as divisive. If Northern Ireland is a divided society, it is not Catholic schools that have made it so. Catholic schools place great importance on demonstrating respect and tolerance and this is firmly placed into their curriculums.

"Public funding of Catholic schools should continue,” said Mr O’Loan.

“Of course the state should not hand over money without conditions, and there is a strong responsibility on Catholic schools as on all others to ensure that their pupils show tolerance in reality, and this must include mixing with those of other faiths,” he said.