Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I support Senator Norris's plea for video recording to be provided. It is a nonsense and regrettable that cases collapse due to such a defective process. We had this problem for many years in Northern Ireland. It does not have to be available in every Garda station. There could be eight such suites around the country and it would be fair to the person who is being interrogated, the Garda and the process of justice.

I declare an interest as a director of Independent Newspapers and as someone who writes for them. I was disappointed too when I picked up the newspaper this morning to find that what I thought was an absolutely sparkling speech had not been reported, even in the Irish Independent. The sad thing is that the appetite of the reading public is for conflict and not for reflective discussion. We had a wonderful discussion and it showed the Seanad at its best. I admire the contributions of my colleagues. However, it is a little unfair, in respect of the unfortunate remarks made this morning, to blame the journalist. After all, it was a politician who said it. He may not be a very good one, but, nevertheless, that is the position.