Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I recall what the very well known rosary priest, Fr. Peyton, used to say, that the family who prays together stays together. I wonder if there is a message we can send to the Taoiseach, that the Seanad that reflects together may stay together after the next referendum. I compliment those responsible for what we are now discussing. It lifts my spirits that common sense and self-respect have coalesced in this resolution. While it may not be an issue that will get wide media coverage, I firmly believe there is something in what is being achieved that can be transposed into many other aspects of life outside.

We need to get away from tags, because sometimes the word "tolerance" is used but it has so many different meanings. When it comes to individual faith, there is no doubt that tolerance has to be part of it. I believe that faith is very private, whereas in other parts of the world we see that religion and politics are very closely connected. We see some terrible things being done and we are never sure if it is done is the name of politics or in the name of religion.

I have always found a sense of compassion in Ireland. In all aspects of life we must start with compassion and understanding. We must endeavour to see how we can expand on that understanding because the Ireland of today is not the Ireland of 50 years ago, it is changing. People are trying to come to grips with that change. I am reminded of the debate about the Angelus bells on the radio. There were several moves to remove the Angelus. The person who played the most significant role in ensuring the Angelus would not be removed was the Church of Ireland archbishop. In his contribution to the debate at the time, he used the same word that is being used in the report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on Standing Order 18. He asked what was wrong with stopping twice a day to reflect for a minute or two. That put an end to the debate about removing the Angelus. I admired him ever since, and I have mentioned him in the House on several occasions. It might have been an intervention of only ten sentences, but the rest of the debate was lost when something as simple as that from that source was brought into play. We are doing exactly the same in this House. We are endeavouring not to score points, not to be sensationalist and not to create negative headlines. If we were being asked to remove that prayer which is so much tied to tradition one can imagine the message that would be going from this House - a message that would not remain in Ireland but would go from our shores. It would be another argument against the retention of the Seanad. It was an issue that could have been handled with reason and compassion and through dialogue with each other, whatever our beliefs, and by doing it in that way we have not allowed the opportunity to reflect badly on the Seanad. I compliment those whose idea it was and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because this is a way forward on other issues also.

I used to be very sad when I heard that a certain hospital was not allowed have a crib at Christmas. When we visit patients in hospital and they are at their most vulnerable the very symbolism is taken away from them at that particular time. We have heard of a statue which has been in a particular public institution and the big debate that took place about removing it. In future when these debates arise, let us come back to what we have done and show that we can respect all traditions but, above all else, we should not be pushed into a position where our own tradition is viewed in some way as negative. We must keep that tradition positive into the future. To all involved in the Seanad I say, well done, and please God it will benefit everyone.