David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the very important case concerning surrogate motherhood and the issue of legal parenting, I would expect the State will appeal today's judgment for the simple reason if it does not, it does not give clear and a perfect definition to that judgment. It would be better for all parties and I would be interested to hear what my colleague, Senator Bacik, has to say about this.

This issue has been hanging around for a long time, as far back as when the party of the Senator who raised this was in power. I remember Senator Mary Henry from this side urging that we make legislation available in this area and she was supported by Senator Bacik at the time.

With regard to those responsible in Trinity College, I am very surprised and rather ashamed of them if they will not allow the Church of Ireland training college to retain the term "Church of Ireland" in the title. We are a bit squeamish about this. I call for Trinity to change its name from the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin. Perhaps it is time for a name change after 400 and whatever years, because it is no longer near Dublin - it is in Dublin - and if it does not like the Trinity and does not believe in religion it should get rid of it. While we are at it, we could get rid of the prayer in this House. As a practising Christian I find it offensive and hypocritical. I think the silence is a load of fraud as well. Perhaps we should all clean up our act and be a little more honest about things.

It is also important for us to be honest about proceedings in court. There is an important issue I wish to raise, and I beg the indulgence of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. There was a big article in one of the newspapers - the Irish Daily Mail, not a newspaper which attracts me particularly - about an important issue. The article did not appear today but some days ago. A well-known reporter, Eugene Moloney, was struck on the back of the head by someone when returning home at the weekend. The assailant pleaded guilty to manslaughter and the sentencing-----