It is not that I am ignoring those on my right. I should have called the leader of the Rural Independent Group, Deputy Mattie McGrath.

The programme for Government is very strong in its commitment to respect different nationalities, religions and so on. We are passing a lot of legislation to try to give a legal framework to respect different cultures etc. I ask today that the Taoiseach be brought to the House to apologise utterly for what he said yesterday about priests and parish priests in response to Deputy Micheál Martin, who can defend himself. In his response to Deputy Martin, the Taoiseach said, "The Deputy reminds me of one of those parish priests who preaches from the altar-----

The Taoiseach is not here.

-----telling us to avoid sin while secretly going behind the altar and engaging in any amount of sin himself."

This is outrageous and utterly revolting to any Catholic or right-thinking person. Brother Kevin, Father Peter McVerry and thousands of priests up and down the country are working daily to enhance all people's lives. The Taoiseach has to come in here to withdraw that scurrilous slur on Catholic priests.

I will deal with it. I call Deputy Butler on the same issue.

Page 6 of the programme for Government is very clear. It states the Government will "develop a new Integrated Framework for Social Inclusion [outlining] measures to help eliminate any persisting discrimination on grounds of gender, age... race [or] religion." Unfortunately, no such tolerance or respect was shown for the Catholic religion in the Dáil yesterday when the Taoiseach likened the leader of Fianna Fáil to a parish priest telling us from the altar how to avoid sin while secretly going behind the altar and engaging in any amount of sin himself. What a complete disrespect for one religion. Why should my religion be treated like this in the national Parliament? It is simply unacceptable to me. He denigrates the entire Catholic religion. I think today of Fr. Peter McVerry and Brother Kevin of the Capuchins, who are feeding and housing the poor and homeless people of Ireland, a job the Government should be doing. Does the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, condone the Taoiseach's statement yesterday?

Does the Minister wish to respond to the programme for Government aspect of this?

It is not a matter for promised legislation.

It is.

It is.

Please. I know exactly. The Minister may respond about the programme for Government or promised legislation if she wishes to address the general issue, and I deal with the other.

The programme for Government commitments will be fulfilled during the lifetime of this Government. The Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, has worked on equality with a number of measures, particularly relating to migrant and minority communities. He will continue to work on those measures.

Attack the character of priests-----

It would be appropriate for the Taoiseach to withdraw the remark.

I respect the feelings and the views that both Deputies have raised but genuinely it is not a matter for promised legislation.

Of course it is.

It is.

Please, Deputies.

We will not be kicked around the place like that.

I was in the Chair yesterday when the comments about parish priests were made to Deputy Micheál Martin at the end of questions to the Taoiseach. Perhaps I should have raised the issue then but I am not psychic and do not know what one will say. I took the opportunity yesterday and read the transcripts of what was said. I do not think it is a matter for the Minister, Deputy Doherty. Perhaps the Taoiseach may wish to address the matter when he is back in the House next week. I would leave it at that.