David Norris (Independent)

This is the 20th anniversary of the outrage at Enniskillen, which led to pressure being placed on the Provisional IRA to cease its actions. I was newly elected at the time and I remember how Mr. John Robb went to the desk of the then Cathaoirleach, Mr. Charles McDonald, and gave him the poppy he was wearing, which the Cathaoirleach then wore for the day. It was a moving gesture. We remember the horror of the day and welcome the fact that the situation has ended.

I welcome the calls for Seanad reform. I laughed cynically because I have heard such calls for the 20 years in which I have been a Member. I made many calls and suggestions, but they disappeared into thin air. Let us not hear about rotten boroughs because none of the nominating bodies have influence. The majority of Senators are nominated by the Taoiseach or put in by a handful of councillors and parliamentarians. That is fine, but there is a constant diversionary attack on the only constituencies with real constituents. We are described as rotten boroughs, but I will not accept that.