Article 44

1. The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion.

2. 1° Freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion are, subject to public order and morality, guaranteed to every citizen.

2° The State guarantees not to endow any religion.

3° The State shall not impose any disabilities or make any discrimination on the ground of religious profession, belief or status.

4° Legislation providing State aid for schools shall not discriminate between schools under the management of different religious denominations, nor be such as to affect prejudicially the right of any child to attend a school receiving public money without attending religious instruction at that school.

5° Every religious denomination shall have the right to manage its own affairs, own, acquire and administer property, movable and immovable, and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes.

6° The property of any religious denomination or any educational institution shall not be diverted save for necessary works of public utility and on payment of compensation.

Bunreacht na hEireann

Josh writes:

This  [The Magdalene survivors’ redress] is very clearly a matter relating to compensation. As far as I can see it’s there in black and white, the state doesn’t have to ask for the property at all, it’s false modesty…

 

UPDATE:

We don’t know our bottom from our Bunreacht (see comments). Apologies.

Previously: I Looked Into His Eyes And Told Him My Story

Bad Habits Die Hard