Máiría Cahill (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not withdrawing the remark. Rule 68 is an archaic rule. Children have a human right under the European convention to a neutral studying environment, and that is clearly not the case in this country. There is a lack of choice for parents who do not wish for their children to receive religious instruction. We have seen the difficulty this country has had over the years with how religion can take precedence over instruction and education. We have seen the abuses which followed as a result. No parent or child should be forced into a situation in which religious instruction underpins their day. Having said that, I and the Labour Party respect entirely the choice of parents and families to have religious beliefs. Should the Senator wish to have a debate on this issue, I think it probably could be useful as I am not quite sure that he understands exactly what rule 68 means. Go raibh maith agat.