Joe O'Toole (Independent)

At a time when politics is at a very low ebb, when there was never so little trust or confidence in the political system, I express my admiration for all those people for putting their names before the electorate and standing out there and standing for something. In welcoming Mr. George Lee for crossing over to our side, I wish to correct some of the wonder about it. Whereas I admire and recognise that anyone might give up career prospects and salaries to come into Leinster House, both Houses are full of people - every lawyer, solicitor, barrister, doctor and many business people - who have put their careers on hold to come here. That should be recognised. What George Lee has done is perfectly admirable, but many people in both Houses have done exactly the same over the years. That might come as a surprise to cynical commentators and callers to talk shows, but it is the reality.