David Norris (Independent)

I strongly support that. I regret the cut in overseas development aid. Many people have suggested that if it had been left expressed as a percentage it would decline naturally anyway. In 2010, we will be giving less than that which we gave three solemn commitments to provide, which is disastrous.

We are in difficult times and should row together to support not the Government but the country. Everything in this country appears to be in tatters, including the banks, the Church, politics and the law. The only area in which there appears to be hope is that which Ms Mary Robinson called the fifth province, the artists of this country. We can still be proud of them whether popular musicians or writers, of whom we have many. The Calatrava bridge, which is a glorious addition to Dublin, was opened today and is named in honour of Samuel Beckett.

I was sad to hear the other day of the passing of Liam Clancy who was an extraordinary, wonderful and magisterial figure. I know much about James Joyce but Liam Clancy knew more about and had a deeper love of James Joyce than most academic professors put together. I had the pleasure of listening to him recite from memory page after page with love and understanding. Thank God there is still one of our five legs of State in which we can glory and celebrate.