Eoghan Harris (Independent)

Irrespective of where we stood on the invasion of Iraq, and I supported it, we must all agree it was very moving to see Iraq go to the polls yesterday and in particular to see the range of women candidates, from the most secular to the most committed Islamic. That is the peg on which I propose to ask the Leader to consider a debate on the nature of Irish identity and the Irish Republic and what it is to be Irish.

I am an atheist. I believe in a civic republicanism. I do not believe we can impose any religion on anybody else but at the same time I am realistic enough to recognise that in the rush to secularise the country, which is being pushed on the back of the current embarrassments of the Catholic Church with regard to child abuse, we are in danger of making the same ahistorical mistake as other generations. I am old enough to remember when one could not get served in Irish in Dingle nor be answered in Irish in a shop. I remember when the Irish language and Irish music were despised and that changed. I remember when everyone said there would be no peace in Northern Ireland and there is a kind of a peace there. We cannot predict the future. We cannot predict in a country that is littered with the ruins of Christianity how future generations might like to respect and value Christianity. Senator Norris has an unerring feel for the pulse of the public. There is something odd about having a rugby match on Good Friday in a country where every corner churchyard, village and town is impregnated with Christian symbolism. It just feels wrong. In the rush to secularism we should be careful to tolerate all views and tolerance does not mean permitting; it means permitting while disapproving.