Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I remember speaking to Senator Norris on one occasion about the widely held view that the Progressive Democrats Party had tried to take God out of the Constitution. It was not true, of course, as the text we proposed contained at least three mentions of God. That is history. Senator Norris said he admired the Progressive Democrats Party because having alienated 90% of the country by proposing to delete references to God, it alienated the remaining 10% by proposing to put them back in again. It was Senator Norris at his best. He said that was political courage.

As Senator Maurice Hayes said, it is legitimate to make provision for a person who wishes to make an affirmation. The appropriate way to do so is in the form of my amendment No. 25 which provides that the words "before God" may be omitted from the declaration at the request of the declarant. It is a fair compromise.

I will consider amendments Nos. 22 to 24, inclusive, between now and Report Stage and ascertain whether they change the sense of the declaration or add to its value. In general, I do not wish to add surplus material which does not change meaning. I do not know whether the inclusion of the words "and to the best of my knowledge and power" and "faithfully" in the context of the discharge of duties would reduce or increase the effect of the declaration. Amendment No. 22 proposes the insertion of the word "promise", but this is a declaration not a promise. We will consider these matters between now and Report Stage.