Bishops congratulate new TDs

The country's Catholic bishops have congratulated all those elected to the new Dáil.

At their 2011 General Meeting in Maynooth, the group commended deputies' willingness to take on what they describe as the "noble vocation" of political leadership at such a challenging time.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the bishops said public policy should always support and protect the common good.

They believe strengthening the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, as well as promoting and protecting human life at all stages is fundamental to that.