TDs add period of silence to prayer

Proposals to scrap the Dáil daily prayer have been voted down by TDs.

Instead, they have voted to add 30 seconds of silent reflection to the prayer, which is read out by the Ceann Comhairle before proceedings commence.

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone abstained from the vote and ministers of state Finian McGrath and John Halligan opposed the retention of the prayer and the addition of a silent reflection.