David Norris (Independent)

I welcome the Bill to the House. I wish to place on record my regret that there was not a proper Order of Business today. This was regrettable indeed. I also wish to state without any impertinent reference to the present Minister's beliefs that I have challenged on several occasions the saying of the prayer because I regard it as sectarian. Although I am a believing Christian myself I believe in these circumstances today it simply highlights the absurdity of the situation. I am not expecting the Minister to take one position or another but we should make an effort to separate church and State. I regret these two matters and I wish to put them on the record before I say my few words.