TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE has said he will swear an oath to fulfil his duties “in the presence of Almighty God” prior to the meeting of the Council of State today despite being an agnostic.
A government spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that Gilmore “respects the Constitution and therefore will take the oath as set out in the Constitution”, regardless of his personal beliefs about religion. The Tanaiste is constitutionally obliged to swear the oath as set down.
Atheist Ireland urged Gilmore not to take the oath, saying it was one that a “conscientious agnostic cannot honestly make.”
As the Council is essentially an advisory body, meaning it does not issue orders, the question of Gilmore’s personal views affecting the validity of any decision does not apply.
We’d like to know what you think: Should religious references be removed from such constitutional oaths?
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