David Norris (Independent)

Like Senator Mullins, I was thrilled by the result of the match and I send my congratulations along with the rest of the House. Rugby is like politics. Dublin was ahead by one point at half time. I thought we had the psychological advantage and then Kerry got a goal and it went to the wire. That is exactly like politics. That is the kind of politics I am experiencing at the moment but the Senator stole my thunder when he mentioned the ploughing championships. The Cathaoirleach knows my devotion to this House. There is only one other place I wanted to be today and that was down there in Athy. I would like to shake the hand of Anna May McHugh, an extraordinary woman.

I used to go to the Spring Show. It has been completely eclipsed - in fact, I think it is gone; they only have the Dublin Horse Show - but it is so important, and I speak as the grandson of a farmer from Laois. The fact is that incomes for farmers have gone up 30% in the past year, and thank God for that. I remember them when they were outside this House and they were suffering decreases in their income. Thank God that we are seeing young people coming back into rural employment. I ask the Leader for a debate on the positive aspects of this because we also have the food industry.