Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is the truth. One cannot tell people who are elected, "This is right." There are an awful lot of things that pass through these Houses that I fundamentally disagree with but that is what democracy is. There is no point in people decrying the decision-making processes. Rather, they should participate, along with like-minded people, which is what we all try to do. The Cathaoirleach made a very powerful contribution. The focus of our debate today has widened to domestic issues, but its purpose was to discuss the development goals that we want to achieve. We have a consensus that we want to achieve them but we are swimming against a tide. It is not lectures we need; it is people to help us swim.