David Norris (Independent)

This may sound humorous but it is not intended to be. In the last week of the Dáil session the Ceann Comhairle said, "Ah for frig's sake, Enda". That was widely reported and broadcast by the media yet the comment does not appear in the Official Report because it was excised. A similar incident occurred in this House when a colleague of mine expressed concern about the high levels of adult "literacy". This was a mistake but I took it up and agreed with him saying things were frightful, people were not only learning to read but would shortly be able to write and eventually there would be Catholic emancipation. That never appeared in the Official Report because the reporter, the person in charge, decided it was too cruel.

I had a major battle about this incident but was not supported in this House. This is an important point. I do not blame the Debates Office which is very professional. We lack guts if we do not give direction and say it is all right to correct the grammar but we must have an accurate and faithful record, particularly as the proceedings are now broadcast on television and radio.