Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Such an argument sounds better from those who do not intend to stay here. I may not have reflected exactly the points made by Senator Ormonde, but I am pointing out what comes across to me when I hear such speeches. The Dublin-centric view of society holds that we should make space for those of us who have a right to be here. It is a difficult issue.

We could be doing many things that we are not doing in this House. I have failed to start any movement in respect of the committees of these Houses. Joint committees should meet outside the Houses of the Oireachtas, just as committees of other Parliaments meet in provincial locations. I do not mean that committee members should visit such locations to meet local people or other groups, but that they should have actual meetings in other parts of the country. I pleaded with the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to hold a certain number of its formal meetings in Gaeltacht areas each year. I am not referring to ordinary meetings with people.

The fact that there is no presidential residence other that in the Phoenix Park is a reflection of the Dublin-centric attitude to which I referred. I am aware that the Constitution requires the President to live in Dublin, or near Dublin. I do not think the Minister of State will disagree with me when I say that every time I pass Portumna Castle——