Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland subscribe to the Christian faith and they regard that as their cherished birthright. Throughout all the difficult and brutal times in Northern Ireland, the Christian churches stood together united against strife and tried to promote a positive approach among people. The church leaders played a significant and central role in the peace process. It is very encouraging to see young people wanting to continue that tradition. Not only that, but they want to manifest this by wearing a symbol that relates to their religion, generally a crucifix. It is wrong that the regulation, which I understand will be implemented in the near future, will prevent young people in Northern Ireland from wearing a crucifix or for that matter, a pioneer pin. It is a pity that we are preventing this at a time when we would like to see young people embrace religion and not just be concerned with material things. It is taking multiculturalism too far when the native population has to accept that type of development. I do not believe our very welcome visitors would expect that of us.

I also remember a very generous action in a religious sense some years ago when there was a demand to take the angelus off the radio. It was the Church of Ireland that defended the Catholic Church on that occasion. The reason I raise the matter here is that if this is going to happen in Northern Ireland, one can take it as fairly certain there will be a strong lobby to prevent young people here expressing their Christian beliefs when they go to school. That is not right and it is not good for society. It is not in keeping with tradition. I do not believe any country should be expected to give up its birthright in that way.