The debate about school patronage and denominational education is a complex, and at times, confusing one. This book looks at the issues surrounding Church patronage, and examines the political approach to reframing the present system. David Tuohy looks at the separation of Church and State in the political context of Europe, before returning to Ireland to explore the debate in more detail. Taking practical solutions from Europe, along with theoretical concepts of political philosophy, he applies them to the Irish debate and in doing so, lays out the framework in which current challenges to education are positioned. This is a timely and relevant study of denominational education, and will be of interest to anyone seeking to understand the wider issues surrounding the current debate.