David Norris (Independent)

It represents a diminishing of everybody in this country. It is laughable that we should turn to this kind of mockery when we so often refer to the fact that one of the former residents of that house is the only woman whose picture hangs in Leinster House, yet we treat her family's quandary with contempt. It is a pity. We should examine this issue and the results of our lack of support for these great houses.

Perhaps we can have a debate on the North of Ireland. I was astonished and repulsed to see that last night in Omagh a democratic meeting to discuss policing was disrupted and prevented by 80 republicans engaged in fascist chanting.