O'Kennedy hits out at O'Donnell over remarks

A senior Fianna Fail TD has challenged Minister of State Liz O'Donnell over her attack on the Catholic Church.

Former minister Michael O'Kennedy has accused Deputy O'Donnell of castigating Cardinal Desmond Connell.

Minister O'Donnell had said that it was hypocritical of the Church to give advice on the private lives of others.

Deputy O'Kennedy said all the Cardinal did was to reiterate his Church's teachings on issues of economic and social morality.

He added that it is only in totalitarian states that religious leaders are denied the right to teach in public and said he repudiates the notion that Church leaders should be the only ones denied the right of free speech.