Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

——that there should be room and space in Parliament for those who do not hold that view. There is, and there was. It happened less than a year ago and if the people did not see fit to provide for that way of thinking, then it is not possible to arrange. One cannot arrange democracy. One cannot configure it in such a way. Our proportional representation system has already catered for that — the majority and one's second, third, fourth and up to tenth choice. Everything is provided for in the electoral system of this country. The only system remotely like it is the Australian one. Therefore, I reject the notion that every such position has not been provided for.

That said, I agree it is always beneficial to hear the opposite side of the argument because it forces those who are on the other side to bring forward their best argument. Let us hear it. Let us put it forward, analyse it and dissect it and let us then make a decision.

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