‘Reflective silence’ replaces Seanad prayer

The Seanad is to hold a 30-second “reflective silence” every morning to represent members who do not want to take part in the daily prayer.

It will mark a change in the 90-year-old tradition where members of both Houses of the Oireachtas are asked to rise at the start of each day’s proceedings for a prayer.

The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil and the clerk of the Seanad read, in both languages: “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.”