Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing this Topical Issue debate. Is this Government anti-religion? I am entitled to have my religion, just as everybody else is entitled to their religion. We are entitled to worship. This Government does not know whether it is legal to allow us to worship. We are the only country in Europe in this position. A case was taken in Scotland, yet the legal team in this State could not answer a question today as to whether this is warranted. More than 130 were in this room today voting on legislation and Bills. There are churches in this country bigger than this facility, yet the Government only allows ten people into them. At funerals, when people are at their most vulnerable as their loved ones are buried, only ten people may be present. That is very difficult. I am from a family of 11. Who would I have to leave at home, God forbid, if something was to happen in our house? I have a family of six myself. The Government must allow people to worship as we always did and no longer be the only European country that does not stand up. Let Ireland stand up. The people of Ireland are now standing up and it is about time the Government answered them.

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