Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Members of the House who contributed to this debate and made some very useful points. I would like to say, a preliminary remark, that I have noted on two occasions that some Deputies in this House think it is okay to shout me down, to interrupt my speech and to spend minutes barracking me and shouting and roaring at me. I refer to the debate on the Bill introducing the citizenship referendum and today's debate. I do not refer to any of the Deputies who are currently in the House. However, other Deputies were bellowing, roaring and shouting this morning to try to stop me from speaking in this democratic Assembly. It is not right, it is not proper and it is unfair. I am entitled to explain the background to a Bill and the content of it. I had to abandon most of the things I proposed to say today because I was being continuously heckled by people who were shouting and roaring at me while I was speaking.

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