Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like Deputy Butler, I too lend my support to the Committee on Procedure regarding the discussion around the prayer. Since I was elected to the House 12 months ago, no more than the discussion around mental health, the discussion on the prayer is one that keeps reoccurring. This is a modern society and the return of the Thirty-second Dáil was very reflective of that in the way the parties were returned. Needless to say, that is also how it was discussed within the Committee on Procedure.

I am glad to see that the prayer has been retained. That said, I am also glad to see we are also reflective of other people and are allowing the opportunity of a period of time for reflection. I hope that when this is finally discussed, we will have the opportunity to move on and accept the proposal the Committee on Procedure has put before the House to retain the prayer along with an opportunity for time for reflection. It is a part of our tradition down through the years. Like all good things, we do not need to abolish all parts of the tradition. We need to be respectful of the people who went before us, what they stood for and what they believed in as part of that tradition. I am quite happy with the Committee on Procedure's proposal for Standing Order 27.

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