David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely, and unlike the Pope, the Leas-Chathaoirleach is always infallible in my book.

While I said a few words about Jimmy Walsh last week, I welcome the opportunity to say good things about him again today when he is actually in the Chamber. In a degraded profession, he has maintained extremely high standards. We must value the meticulousness with which he recorded the doings of this House and his brave, long and sometimes difficult fight to keep the paper of record on track in terms of recording the business of this House. When I entered the Seanad 25 years ago, it was regularly covered by a panel of reporters from The Irish Times and the business of the Seanad was given considerable coverage in all of the national newspapers, including the Irish Independent, The Irish Press and so forth but now it is treated as a matter of no significance. On "Oireachtas Report", for example, coverage of the Seanad is shunted to the very end, after coverage of the various Oireachtas committees, which is wrong.

The suggestion that Jimmy Walsh should become Senator Walsh is not a bad one at all because there is a vacancy and, indeed, there may be another one if Senator Thomas Byrne wins a seat in the Dáil. The seat of former Senator Martin McAleese is vacant now. Jimmy Walsh was always very careful not to show any bias and provided a meticulous and clear recording of what happened in this House. However, from personal conversations I have had with him, I know the values Jimmy has, which are humane, decent values of integrity. He believes very strongly in human rights on an international, as well as national, level. He would, through his political experience and his values, add very considerably to this House.

I also strongly support the suggestion that he should write a book. However, I do not think it should just be about anecdotes because there is far more to Jimmy Walsh than funny stories and entertaining quips. There is a substantial intellect there that parses and analyses affairs at a national and international level. He has much wisdom and insight, which for reasons of professionalism he often kept outside his reports. It would be very good to have the real Jimmy Walsh stand up and share his values, which are so necessary in this day and age.

Moving on to other matters, I wish to refer to the issue of child care, and the situation is very clear in this regard. The cost of child care in this country is completely outrageous and ridiculous. The fact that people must pay more than their mortgage every month to have their children looked after is mad. Somebody should look at the cost of child care provision, which is the nub of the matter.

The main issue I wish to raise has been signalled previously to some of my colleagues and to the Leader. Last week I referred to the lack of solidarity being shown by the highest in the land and I believe it is important that the Seanad plays a role in this regard. We should be imaginative and do something to demonstrate clearly and publicly that the members of this House are in sympathy with the sufferings of the people. In that context, I propose that Seanad Éireann moves its sitting for at least one day in the next term to a town like Athlone, which is in the centre of the country and is readily accessible for all Senators. I suggest that Senators come to Dublin and then travel by bus to Athlone and hold a session there. We should formally open Seanad proceedings there and also engage in an exercise of listening to the people. I would suggest that we then go and see the people in the situations in which they find themselves, whether that be a soup kitchen or an employment agency, so that we can have a real connection with the people. This is not precluded by anything in the Constitution or the rules of this House but has never been done by either House. We, in Parliament, are seen as remote from the people. I respectfully ask the Leader to set an inquiry in motion to determine how this can be done. It would require proper preparation, including holding discussions with the relevant county council. It would be useful if we could use the offices of the county council in Athlone for this purpose. This would get press coverage and would make us accessible to the public. Having made this suggestion, I would be very interested to hear if my colleagues would support this idea and if the Leader is in a position to advance it.