Madam, - According to Senator Martin Mansergh, "no person or organisation should be forced by legislation or agencies of the State to act in a manner contrary to their conscientious religious beliefs" ( The Irish Times, March 23rd). Are we to assume from this statement that the senator is opposed to the conditions outlined in the Employment Equality Act, 1998: 37 (1), which grants power to the churches to hire and fire on the basis of religious belief and behaviour?
Can we look forward to a campaign led by Senator Mansergh for the abolition of this Taliban-like law that forces thousands of teachers and associated school staff to live a life contrary to their conscientious beliefs in order to preserve their livelihood? - Yours, etc,
ANTHONY SHERIDAN, Carraig Eoin, Cobh, Co Cork