Joe O'Toole (Independent)

That is extremely important. No matter what walk of life one comes from, a person who tells one what one wishes to hear, rather than what one needs to hear, is not needed. People who tell others what they need, but may not wish, to hear should be valued in a democracy. I believe that is what the Equality Authority was doing and I deeply regret the resignation of Niall Crowley. I say that as an objective observer of the work he was doing. I did not agree with all the issues it raised. Having been elected to this House, Members are part of the establishment and look at matters from a different viewpoint. Nevertheless, I welcomed all the issues it raised. I welcomed them for the discussion they caused, the challenge they created and for the debates Members had on such issues in which they argued among themselves as to whether they were right or wrong. Such creative tension of argumentation advances the political process and is of great importance.