David Norris (Independent)

I agree with the remarks made earlier by Senator Fitzgerald and others in regard to today's Order of Business, although I accept this is not entirely the Leader's fault. However, it would be useful if he took a stronger position on this issue. Today we are in the rather farcical situation of discussing amendments which we know have no earthly chance of being accepted by Government. This seriously undermines our constitutional function as the second Chamber of the Oireachtas, which is lamentable. Would it be possible to secure from Government a commitment that it will underwrite our constitutional position? I have no doubt but that this is a breach of the Constitution. We are required to scrutinise and amend legislation and are being prevented from doing so by the exigency of Government policies.

I have just returned from the airport where I met quite a number of unhappy people, some of whom had spent the entire night there. I do not often agree with Michael O'Leary but am forced to do so on this occasion. There is no backup system. There is no fail-safe. That is perfectly obvious. The delays are unconscionable. Questions must be asked about the fact that €116 million was spent on acquiring this apparently sophisticated up-to-the-minute system for radar control from a French company. The company has let us down badly. There should be a fail-safe system but there is not. Mr. O'Leary is probably right in saying there will be a further backup in flights later this morning, with people being delayed and flights being cancelled. People have missed international connections and they will not be compensated. This has happened to me. The passenger, it seems, is almost always wrong.

I thank the Leader warmly for his support for the suggestion that the Abbey Theatre be relocated to O'Connell Street——