David Norris (Independent)

Another Member referred to the issue of the prayer which is said at the commencement of business in this House. It is a very beautiful prayer and, as a believing Christian, I am of the view that it is appropriate to say such prayers before beginning one's work. However, one must be mindful of the separation of church and State and of the view of many people like myself - I do not say this often in public - who are committed Christians but who nevertheless believe that the recitation of prayer should not be an automatic aspect of the business of Parliament. We live in a democracy where we have had agnostics, atheists, Muslims and Jews in the Oireachtas. As such, I am not sure it is appropriate to include a Christian prayer at the commencement of parliamentary business. This is an issue I have raised on previous occasions.

In regard to the daily broadcast of the Angelus by RTE, I would be very saddened to see it abolished. It has been part of our tradition for a long time and is something which allows people a moment for reflection. It is not sectarian in that it does not necessarily tie into any particular religion. Rather, it is an expression of part of what we are as Irish people.