Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

I did not intend to come in here today to be caught in political crossfire but unfortunately that is what happened. If there are issues to be addressed it is best to address them on a one to one basis rather than use this House as a mechanism to do that because it does nothing but degrade the House. If any comment is to be retracted it should be the one made by the Minister about a gentleman who is elected to this House. He stated that a politician like Senator Burke does no service to politics. Politics is a tough game, and I know the Minister finds that also, but I do not understand the logic behind that statement. If anything needs to be retracted it is the Minister's comment about Senator Ulick Burke. Senator Burke does provide a service and he works very hard.