13-05-2015
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has described the Governments decision to withdraw over €360,000 in state funding for Accord’s marriage preparation courses as wilfully vindictive and counterproductive. Deputy McGrath made his comments after Tulsa, the child and family agency denied the move was a reaction to Accord’s refusal to support the governments position on the same sex marriage referendum:
“Any bland assurances that these matters are not directly related to the government’s broader social agenda have no credibility whatsoever.
The constitution clearly outlines how the state will guard and protect the institution of marriage, which ironically is one of the main aims of the marriage preparation courses that Accord offer.
To offer the limp excuse that this is about savings when the Government is busy shouting from the rooftops how well the economy is doing reveals the outright lie at the root of this decision.
The government cannot have it both ways. It cannot remove all funding to Accord while still, for example, demand that Catholic priests fulfill a state function as registrars at church weddings.
In terms of where we are heading, this is a glaring insight into this Governments attempt to advance a social agenda which undermines any vision of marriage which does not equate to its own.
In broader terms it will do nothing to allay the now genuine fears that the Government is intent on marginalising institutions or organisations with a Christian ethos by making them financially as well as philosophically unsustainable,” concluded Deputy McGrath.
ENDS
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