Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. In particular, I thank Deputy Willie Penrose for whom this subject has been a passion not only since today or yesterday but for all his life, as it has been for his family.

In many ways the debate is a reflection of our culture. Some of us have two left feet or do not have a note in our heads.

We come from families that are steeped in music where those who have talent play music and those who can write compose music. It is part of what culture is in Ireland. When this Dáil first met, we heard about the new possibilities offered by new politics. I am disappointed, therefore, to hear the Minister, Deputy Naughten, shutting ideas down. I am sure he does not mean to be snide, but I do not think it becomes him, as someone who was bristling with vision, to narrow this down as he has done.

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