Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I too saw the programme last night. I was struck by it and I began to think why this was happening and why society cannot come to grips with what is happening. The regeneration project was wonderful. I listened to the people who took a leadership role. Despite this, it seems we cannot break the ground on it. This has nothing to do with money. Civil society must play this role to a greater degree. We have gone beyond pumping money into this or going to the local authority or the key people in society. This must come from a bottom-up approach and that is the way forward for the regeneration of Limerick. Society must play a big role and society throughout the length and breadth of Ireland must be questioned about where we go from here.

Comments were made about parliamentary democracy earlier. I have been calling for reform of parliamentary democracy for a long time. I am tired of lines about lies, being deceitful and being mealy-mouthed. These lines are most unprofessional. I have respect for each parliamentarian in this House and I expect to receive the same treatment, but I do not. It is not good enough that we should be passing snide remarks across the Chamber at one another. It is not right. It is not professional. We are all professional people and we should know how to do our business and talk about policies, not talk about personalities. I would love a debate on the reform of our democracy and parliamentary approach.