David Norris (Independent)

It may allow more time for other speakers because I do not believe I will take up the full 15 minutes, although I always feel that and then I find that my vapid thoughts expand, like all gases, to occupy the relevant space.

I welcome the Minister to the House. This is a very useful place in which to have such a debate, particularly with the Minister present. There are a number of distinguished authorities here, in particular the Leader of the House who is a quite excellent former Minister for transport precisely because she listened to all the arguments but did not allow herself to get overwhelmed by the departmental view. She took the political risk of taking her own decision and in that she showed considerably greater courage than most of her male predecessors, especially in regard to the Dublin underground system to which I may return.