Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I listened with interest to the previous speaker and wish to point out that the political establishment to which he refers is the democratically elected assembly of this country. The parties in this House are not the political establishment but sent here by the people who vote in general elections. The political establishment is not an elitist organisation, as Deputy Ferris implied, it consists of Members of this House who have been sent from various constituencies after a general election to form a Government. There is no elitism or political establishment in this context. This is the democratic assembly of the Republic of Ireland. I take great offence that some infer that Members are elected by means other than the voice of the people in general elections. Members are the elected representatives of the people who cast their votes in a general election. Deputy Ferris has the same mandate as I have. Unfortunately, there are only a few in the Deputy's party, while there are many of us. However, we respect his right to say what he wants.

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