Eoghan Harris (Independent)

It is in the nature of parliaments to foster the critical spirit at the expense of the creative spirit. We do need the critical spirit and, in this regard, some very good comments have been made today. One thing the Seanad does very well is look after minorities. The disabled and elderly have been talked about today. People with mortgage difficulties, who comprise a minority, have been talked about today, which is good. The Seanad should focus most on looking after minorities in our democracy who tend to be steam-rolled over as the Government and Opposition in the other House look after the great constituencies.

With regard to the creative spirit, it is a pity that Senator Ó Brolcháin's very fine suggestion about St. Brigid's Day was not taken more seriously. We are not a gloomy and doomy people; we need our spirits raised and like the light touch. St. Brigid's Day, which was yesterday, is one of the great days of the year and it is the beginning of the real Irish calendar, the old Gaelic calendar. This is the first day of spring. "Anois teacht an Earraigh, beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh," the days are stretching out, and when I am back again among my own people, as Raftery said, "D'imeodh an aois díom, is bheinn arís óg," I will be young again. While we may not be young again, it is a good day and we should think seriously about making it national women's day.

I congratulate Senator Bacik on the news that we will have a women's debate. I hope she is correct that we will get such a debate in the House. One must foster the creative side of human beings as well as the negative and critical side.