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Senator Mark Daly: The leader of the Labour Party group raised the matter of the daily prayer. I assume revelations arising from the investigation into events in the Catholic diocese of Cloyne are being used as an opportunity to raise this matter.

Senator Ivana Bacik: I have raised it many times before.

Senator Mark Daly: Will the Senator indicate whether it is Labour Party policy that the daily prayer be discontinued?

Senator Ivana Bacik: It was raised in the Dáil by my colleague-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Senators should address each other through the Chair.

Senator Mark Daly: If the Senator is good enough to interrupt me with her own information, she might tell me whether it is now Labour Party policy.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: I have already indicated to Senators Ivana Bacik and David Norris that this is a matter for the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Senator Mark Daly: The Labour Party Members opposite have neither supported nor denounced their colleague.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: I am wondering was this issue discussed at the Labour Party group meeting.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Does the Senator have a question?

Senator Mark Daly: Are Labour Party Members able to read each other’s minds?

(Interruptions).

Senator Mark Daly: The Progressive Democrats Party once tried to take God out of the Constitution; now the Labour Party wants to remove the morning prayer.

  11 o’clock

I realise it is a republic but in America-----

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Does Senator Daly have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: -----official Government documents contain the phrase “In God we trust”. In that republic, they have not gotten rid of God. Perhaps Labour Party Senators opposite will talk to the Deputy Leader and see if they are being led and whether they knew the proposal was coming before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Senator Ivana Bacik: We will not be lectured by Senator Daly.

Senator Marie Moloney: Religion is a personal matter. Senator Daly should not try to capitalise on it.

Senator Mark Daly: Senator Moloney’s party seems to want to remove the prayer from the House and that is not a personal matter, it is a political matter.

Senator Marie Moloney: It is a personal matter.

Senator Mark Daly: The leader of the Labour Party group is making a political issue of it.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Tá an t-am istigh.

Senator Mark Daly: What happened in Cloyne and what the church has done is an abomination beyond reckoning but that is no excuse for political pointscoring in this House. That is a disgrace and the leader of the Labour Party group should reflect with Senators opposite.

Senator Ivana Bacik: We will not be lectured by Senator Daly.

Senator Mary M. White: Senator Bacik lectures us non-stop.

Senator Mark Daly: Perhaps Senator Bacik will discuss policy with her Labour Party Senators because it seems to be news to them.