David Norris (Independent)

They do not advance anything. If the Government is so bankrupt of ideas that are appropriate to this part of the parliamentary day then it should yield to groups like the Independents. The House should compare the record of Independents in Private Members' time with the abuse of that slot by the two principal sections of the House. People will note that many of the motions we put down have been agreed and we do not have this nonsense of a vote. It is a farce and a futile political exercise.

One does not have to be a mathematical genius like the Minister for Finance to know the Government is going to win the vote. What is the point of putting the House through an endless charade——