Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I suspect Senator Coghlan's prediction of the result of such a vote is correct. We had a mature discussion. Senator Mullen proposed a compromise and it was accepted by all. It strikes a balance. Let us call a spade a spade and say it is only a small minority that has had difficulty with the formal recognition of religion. As the most recent census clearly shows, the vast majority of people, who do not consider themselves to be living on a higher ground than the next person or to be holy Joes or Josephines, and who do not describe themselves as saints on earth, described themselves as members of the Christian community.

We also have to recognise that group of people. We have a duty to listen, respond and ensure that minority voices are respected. However, we must also listen to the majority voice on occasions. The vast majority of people in this country, who proclaim themselves in some shape or form to be of Christian belief or to hold other religious views, are relatively comfortable with the idea of parliamentarians invoking God in some small way before they set out on their day's work.

Senator Byrne's proposal was interesting and it is something we could consider. In the coming months in the United States, party conventions will be held to select candidates to contest the presidential election. President Obama will be automatically selected. Each evening, at the commencement of the Democratic and Republican conventions, there is a four or five-minute call to prayer. In this country we sometimes believe we are so modern that we are setting all the boundaries, but in America religion plays a much greater role in politics than it does here. We have to recognise that we are probably striking a fair and reasonable balance. I have no difficulty with the prayer as it was, nor do I have a difficulty with this proposal. Hopefully, people will be in the Seanad 30 seconds earlier and will reflect. Those who wish to pray will do so, while others need not pray as there is no such obligation on them. We do need to be respectful, however.

During the week we discussed gender quotas in politics and I said that "respect" is a key word, as it is in this debate. The significant majority must respect the minority viewpoint and vice versa. The only figures we can go on at present are those in the census which show that the vast majority of people in this country see themselves to be of a Christian ethos. Those people deserve respect also.