Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is not nice to hear but it is fundamental to democracy. Parliament must be able to debate honestly and relevantly the issues arising.

It is populist to say people are intellectually ready for any challenge, perhaps even at the age of 12 years, but they do not have generational experience. One has to punch through the hours, have the babies and the grandchildren and learn certain things about life before one can use the fountain pen on all the legislation that has to be signed off by the President or after seeking the advice of the Council of State.

These are important issues. The House is empty.

See this speech in context