Laois councillor wants to abolish Christian prayer at meetings
Strong reaction by other Laois County Councillors to request
The traditional prayer at the start of Laois County Council monthly meetings has been challenged for a second time, by the same councillor.
The Christian prayer is read out by the Cathaoirleach, with everyone standing to attention and blessing themselves afterwards. See the full prayer below.
One councillor says it should be a thing of the past.
Two years on from a previous motion on the same issue, former Fine Gael turned non-party Cllr Aisling Moran has again made her request for silence.
"I'm not against any religion, but I think as a county council we need to be inclusive to all. Replace it with one minute's reflection, so people can say the prayer in their head or sit in silence. There needs to be a clear divide between church and state.
"A number of people ran for election who were not of the Catholic religion. Had they been elected would we still say the prayer?" Cllr Moran asked.
She spoke out at the February meeting in the council chamber in Portlaoise after the prayer was said.
No other councillor agreed.
"I disagree. You can close your mind to say your own prayer if you don't want to participate," Cllr Marie Tuohy said.
"i strongly disagree. If people want another minute after for reflection that's fine. This has been done for the last 125 years," Cllr John Joe Fennelly said.
"I totally disagree with Aisling. She is entitled to her opinion but it would be an awful thing to remove it. You don't have to participate or stand up," said Cllr Paschal McEvoy.
Cllr Paddy Buggy said "most people here are Christian or non religious".
"But if it comes that Muslims or Jews are elected here we can respect them too" he said.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald "totally" disagreed.
"The words of prayer are like a reflection, they don't represent any faith. I propose they remain," she said.
Cllr Moran again argued her case.
"I respect everyone's opinion, I'm just saying as a mark of respect to everybody, you don't know what religion everyone is. We are one of the few councils that still do it. I've no problem is a prayer is on the desk in front and there is a minute's silence to say a prayer," she said.
Cllr Fitzgerald said that the request should be in a notice of motion, and "should have been ruled out of order".
The chair Cllr Padraig Fleming agreed and suggested Cllr Moran table a motion instead for a future meeting.
Her request follows a suggestion by Government opposition parties Social Democrats and Labour to replace the daily Dail prayer with a period of silent reflection, among a variety of other measures to modernise and streamline Dail business.
The only countries to say a prayer or a silent reflection before Government meetings are Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa the US and the UK, described by the Oireachtas Library as "parliaments in the Westminister tradition".
The Irish prayer is as follows: "Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance; that every word and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and by Thee be happily ended; through Christ Our Lord. Amen."