Seanad debates
Wednesday, 9 October 2002
Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion.
We have cross-Border bodies and they work exceptionally well. For instance when the first cases of mad cow disease happened here I remember John Taylor and the Reverend Ian Paisley saying they should not be subject to the same restrictions as Britain because the cattle were Irish cattle. On numerous occasions they have gone to John Hume and MEPs from here to help and support them in the European Parliament. Why can they not come here? We are all Irish people, Republicans, Nationalists and Unionists. They should come to this House and see the incisive debate and the vision which exists for the island. They would see different views showing democracy working as it should. This is the place for them. They should not have to depend on little snatches of debate on television or in the letters column of a newspaper. Let us be radical and show them we want to be open. They could then say whatever they wish to us and we could respond. It would be done in a gentlemanly or ladylike manner. That is the opportunity we have. It is not about who elects this House but about the potential we have at our disposal.
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