The state is secular. No religious institution, body, or authority shall exercise any power over the legislative, executive, or judicial functions of the state. No law shall be made for the purpose of establishing, advancing, or privileging any religion. No public funds shall be directed to any religious institution for religious purposes. Where religious bodies provide public services — including education, healthcare, or social care — they do so as agents of the state under full state accountability, subject to all constitutional obligations, and with no entitlement to impose religious conditions on those they serve or those they employ in the delivery of those services.
The historical dominance of any single religious institution over Irish public life, Irish education, and Irish bodies and minds is acknowledged by this constitution as a source of great harm. That dominance is permanently ended. Faith is a private matter of the deepest personal importance. It is not an instrument of public power.