The 'baptism barrier', which has long sparked debate in a changing Ireland, is one step closer to being removed after TDs in the Dáil voted last night in favour of eliminating it.
This motion falls under the School Admissions Bill, which will be going to the Seanad on June 13, according to the Irish Independent.
The proposed law bans any requirement for parents to show a baptism certificate in order for their child to be prioritised for school admission.
"It is not fair that parents, who might otherwise not do so, should feel pressure to baptise their children in order to gain admission to their local school.
"That is why I am proposing to remove the role that religion plays in school admissions in virtually all primary schools," Education Minister Richard Bruton tweeted on Tuesday.
He added in another tweet, "The legislation will have a historic impact on how children access their local school."
The move is a significant one for an education system in which 90 percent of primary schools are controlled by the Catholic Church.
The minister hopes the law will be implemented swiftly after it passes through the Seanad.
Other elements of the proposed bill include a ban on waiting lists and a ban on fees related to admissions in non-fee-charging schools.
As well, there will be a cap of 25 percent for the number of places schools can reserve for kids of past students.
The hope is that the changes in the proposed law will make admissions less competitive, especially in Dublin.
One important loose end is the level of competence in Irish needed for admission to gaelscoileanna, which is still up-in-the-air due to Fianna Fail vetoing a counter-amendment. This will be discussed in the Seanad debate.
