David Norris (Independent)

He made a number of extremely valuable points. Regrettably sometimes Government actions undermine those fine words. Once again No. 1 proposes that we should have no Order of Business tomorrow, which I oppose. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we delete No. 1 from the Order Paper because it is an undemocratic principle. I was rather disappointed that last night during a serious debate with some extremely fine contributions the Government produced only the minimum number of speakers - one from each Government party - one to propose the amendment and one to support it. Anyone who reads the debate will see that they did not deal with the substance at all. That is a great disappointment.

I also wish to refer to a debate last week regarding the establishment of the Constitutional Convention, when there was some disruption of the business of the House. The record needs to be corrected. Senator Zappone suggested that a gentleman who was sitting in the Visitors Gallery was criticising me and the other Senators who had organised a series of votes, intended to protest at the lack of proper debate. I have received a letter from the same gentleman, a copy of which he also sent to The Irish Times, in which he expresses considerable respect for Senator Zappone and her public work but says that she had, unfortunately, misinterpreted what he said. It was the obstructionist tactics of the Government that he was protesting against when he said, "Shame on you". On the record of the House a completely different construction was placed on his comment. The fact that the person who uttered the words has contradicted that construction should be placed on the record of the House now, in order that the record be accurate.

I ask that we, as a body, assuming the Cathaoirleach thinks it is appropriate ---