David Norris (Independent)

I appreciate the Chair's decision to allow me to speak. I congratulate the former Senator, Deputy Mansergh, on being appointed as a Minister of State. The portfolio that has been allocated to him may appear to have been downgraded, but it is up to him to make it clear that is not the case. Perhaps he could do that by coming to this House at an early date to discuss some of the motions on the Order Paper, such as No. 4, which relates to the Abbey Theatre. The redevelopment of the theatre has been held up for a long time by the peculiar selfishness and greed of certain developers and the pusillanimous attitude of the central authorities in not dealing with and confronting the problem. There was a legal issue at stake, but it has apparently been resolved. The possibility that the Abbey Theatre, which is a national cultural institution, could be moved to the north end of O'Connell Street, which everybody agrees is the best place for it, is starting to open up again. The authorities gave up on that prospect too soon. I suggest that the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, should come to the House.