I had not intended to speak today, but I ask Senator Darragh O'Brien to withdraw his remark. I think you said the Labour Party felt that people with religious instruction were inferior. I take offence at that statement.

I certainly will not withdraw it.

I think you should withdraw it.

I just go by the proof of what I see.

Senator Máiría Cahill to continue, without interruption.

I will not withdraw it. She made a charge against me. I am not withdrawing any remark.

You should withdraw it because quite clearly I do not feel people with religious beliefs are inferior.

Talk to your hierarchy. Talk to your leader.

My daughter attends----

I cannot respond because I cannot hear what is going on.

Senator Máiría Cahill to continue, without interruption.

She is addressing me directly.

Senator Máiría Cahill to continue, without interruption.

She should address the Chair.

She is speaking through the Chair.

She is not; she is speaking to me.

In fairness to Senator Máiría Cahill, she is not long in the Labour Party.

We cannot hear what Senator Máiría Cahill is saying.

Gabh mo leithscéal; I think Senator Darragh O'Brien should withdraw the remark. Rather than coming from a place of religious conviction, his remark is coming from a place of political prejudice. I have a daughter who attends a Catholic school----

I ask that the Senator withdraw that remark.

I am not withdrawing it.

The Senator has made a political charge against me of political prejudice.

You are here to defend yourself and have done so. In respect of Rule 68----

On a point of order, the remarks should be addressed through the Chair. If I cannot respond, the Senator should be addressing the Chair. She should withdraw the political charge against me of political prejudice----

On a point of order, the Senator made much more serious allegations against me. They were so ludicrous I did not even bother responding.

The Senator has jumped up now also. It is like whack-a-mole.

Senator Máiría Cahill to continue, without interruption. She is quite entitled to call for what she is calling.

I am not withdrawing anything.

I am not withdrawing the remark. Rule 68 is archaic. Children have a human right under the European convention to a neutral studying environment and that is clearly not the case in this country. There is a lack of choice for parents who do not wish for their children to receive religious instruction. We have seen the difficulty this country has had during the years with how religion can take precedence over instruction and education. We have seen the abuses which followed as a result. No parent or child should be forced into a situation in which religious instruction underpins their day. Having said that, the Labour Party and I respect entirely the choice of parents and families to have religious beliefs. Should the Senator wish to have a debate on this issue, it probably could be useful as I am not quite sure he understands exactly what Rule 68 means.