David Norris (Independent)

If the Cathaoirleach is calling me, I am grateful. I congratulate Mr. Seán Gallagher on the decision he received from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI. It was appropriate. I listened to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, on every radio station. He consistently described the situation as a mistake, but I do not believe that to have been the case. I will not single out a particular programme, but the entire context in which the election was fought was poisoned. Inappropriately, all candidates and the very office of the President were treated with a lack of respect and courtesy. I deplore that conduct. The entire process was turned into a circus, the presenters on radio and television were the ring masters and their colleagues in the media universally awarded the ring masters the prize at the end of every debate. This is not right. We should have been discussing issues.

That said, there is no question whatsoever that the election itself should be impugned. Everyone would agree with me that Michael D. Higgins is the duly, properly and legally elected President of Ireland, full stop.