David Norris (Independent)

I wish I could agree with Senator Keaveney that the international media was hanging on our every word, as I doubt it. My more modest wish is that the Irish media would occasionally pay a little bit of attention to the House, but that is unlikely as long as we run it like the Ballymagash amateur musical and drama society. The named officers of the House are responsible for that, so I must put the wish to one side.

Three factors should be examined, those being, the markets, hedge funds and ratings agencies. The markets are in turmoil and we are constantly being derated. The attitude out there is that Dublin will be taken out first, then Madrid. A great deal of attention is paid to freedom of information requests on expenses claims. I have received another request and I am happy with it. Let us have a bit of openness about the bondholders. I want to know who they are. I want to see a list of their names.