Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with what Deputy Coppinger said earlier. We should have given this debate more time and scheduled it for a different time because how we do things is important. The process of how we speak and how we listen to each other is important. I raised this issue with others previously and Deputy Paul Murphy raised it at the Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform. There is enough time in here when we are fighting with each other. I like the moments of prayer or reflection because I like that different space that allows us to think in a different way, even if only briefly, each day. My putting forward the suggestion was based on what the Scottish do, as I understand it, in that they vary it. They have a range of different ways in which they use that moment at the start of every week.

I quite like the idea of experimenting and trying different approaches by involving people of all faiths and none. We need to think about how we might try to do it differently.

I listened to Deputy Ó Snodaigh with respect. My party has a tradition of tending to start meetings with a minute's silence. I find it personally correct. It is something I am used to, and I think it works. I sometimes think we could use it here. Rather than the Ceann Comhairle saying he is going to throw someone out, throwing in a minute's silence every now and then might be a useful way of breaking down some of the confrontational moments we have here. I would welcome the Committee on Procedure being given the chance to look at different ways in which we might start the day.

There is a compromise solution. There is a throwback to the foundation of the State in the wording of the morning prayer. While I can stand up and listen to it - as I have said, I find it fine - I would fully respect it if someone were to sit down. I do not think that would be in any way inappropriate. It may be difficult for the person who has to sit down, but I do not think we should disrespect someone who does not believe in it. We should be very flexible in how we do this now. As I recall it, that was what was coming out of the Committee on Procedure, even if there was not universal agreement on it. We tried to take a kind of compromise or consensus approach when we proposed that we would have a period of reflection as well as the original prayer. We were trying to satisfy various different needs.

One of the things that has worked well in the Dáil reform committee, and in the Committee on Procedure to a certain extent, has been the recognition of the need to be flexible. If this does not work, we can come back to it and change it again. We should not set it in stone. This debate is important and how we use our time and have moments of reflection is also important. That is why I am glad this matter was brought before both committees.

See this speech in context