David Norris (Independent)

I am glad to learn that there is a possibility that the Olympic torch may travel from the other part of the island down to Dublin. This is a direct consequence of the visit of the Queen of England. Irish people exploited this wonderfully because following the situation with the Chinese Olympics, it was decided not to allow the torch to travel outside the country holding the games. It is wonderful news that the Olympic torch will be brought to Dublin, particularly because we have had such thrilling athletes. I recall Ronnie Delaney in 1956 and that inspired me. I was so thrilled that somebody like him could take a gold medal in Melbourne. I heard the race on an old crackling wireless set. Dr. Pat O'Callaghan from Kanturk, County Cork, won two Olympic gold medals throwing the hammer. A bit of good news does nobody any harm.

In response to my friend, Senator Mullins, if it were possible, I would have loved to have attended the ploughing championships. I have a farming background and I am delighted young people are coming back to farming. I am concerned that what happened in England will happen here and there will be nothing but big ranchers. I like family and medium-sized farms and the life that goes with them but I agree very much with the Senator that this is an important industry and an important time and I hope we are able to do something about it.

This is his first term in the House but I am glad the Senator retains his party's spirit of opposition to the death penalty. It was dreadful that this man died yesterday because of the doubt involved. I do not know his background but a high proportion of these people are black, have inferior educational skills and are intellectually disadvantaged. A significant number of those have been proved to be innocent when it is too late. I recall a woman who spoke on radio a number of times in an incredibly moving way about the fact that she was picked up as a hitchhiker by a man who had murdered somebody. He then gave state's evidence. Her husband who had nothing to do with the murder was executed and, subsequently, found to be innocent. She is living in Ireland and she has found happiness again here with an Irishman. God bless her and how she got through this with her human spirit intact. We must continue to protest to our American friends that this is inhuman and cruel treatment of any citizen.