Cork TDs differ on dropping Dáil prayer before proceedings

There is division amongst Cork TDs regarding calls for the prayer that precedes each day of business in Dáil Éireann to be dropped.

At present, a short prayer is read out before Dáil sessions in both Irish and English by the ceann comhairle. This is then followed by a moment of reflection for 30 seconds.

Proposals put forward by the Social Democrats regarding Dáil reform outlined that the prayer should be removed and replaced with a moment of reflection for 30-60 seconds.

Speaking to The Echo, Padraig Rice, Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central, explained the rationale behind his party’s calls for the Dáil prayer to be scrapped.

“I believe in the separation of Church and State,” he said.

“It is a core policy for the Social Democrats, and one we won’t shy away from. We need to create a modern, pluralist republic of equals with a clear separation of Church and State.

“Political parties in the Dáil were recently invited to make submissions on Dáil reform. The Social Democrats included the removal of the prayer as just one of many issues in our submission.

“The people who elected me come from all faiths and none. In the last census, over 40,000 people in Cork said they had no religion. TDs who were elected also have different faiths and none.

“It’s important to note that some of our local councils, such as Dublin City Council and Limerick City Council, don’t open with a prayer, nor do any of the meetings of the various community and voluntary groups I have been involved in for the last decade.

“I would ask people to reflect on when they last were at a work or community meeting that started with a prayer. There is a time and place for prayer, but I don’t think it’s at Cork City Council meetings or the Dáil. This is a democracy, not a theocracy.”

Also speaking to The Echo, Ken O’Flynn, Cork North-Central Independent Ireland TD, outlined why he is critical of the proposal to remove the Dáil prayer.

“It is my belief that it is superfluous to the fact, we have accommodated all religions and none by offering them the 30 seconds of silence after the prayer,” he said.

“I believe we are a Christian country and I think we shouldn’t be turning our back on that. I don’t think we should turn our back on the majority of people that we represent in our constituencies.

“I think, for people we are doing business on behalf of, it [prayer] sends a clear message that we are doing it for the greater good and greater good of society.”