David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In other countries it is perfectly feasible to put remotely readable meters in. Why not put the whole bloody lot in at the same time and stop them digging up pavements, including antique listed pavements in the centre of Dublin, three times in order that we can pay English companies for the benefit of wrecking our city? Could the Leader ask the Minister to try to join up a small number of dots? This would save the taxpayer money and make things reasonable.

I was at home yesterday. What did I find when I went to the letterbox? I found that a gentleman from the gas board had called. However, there was no sign of a ring on the bell or a rat-tat-tat on the knocker. It is much easier to shove the thing in and read it oneself. Let us get rid of that. Let us join the 21st century.

Could we also have a debate on Egypt? A worrying situation is blowing up there. I do not have much time for Mr. Morsi or the Muslim Brotherhood but I believe that they are a good deal less dangerous than people imagine and that their threat has been exaggerated. The real threat comes from the subversion of democracy. We do not always get the people we want, but everywhere a regime in the Middle East or north Africa has sprung up with anything like an aggressive Muslim or Islamic bent, or whatever one wishes to call it, it has been undemocratically undone.

Let us recall the Government in Algeria, which won an overwhelming victory some 15 or 20 years ago. Then, the Europeans and Americans plunged that country into civil war because they could not accept the will of the people there. We must accept it and it is the same in Egypt. Mr. Morsi was put in by a vote of the people. This is a military coup; there is no question about it. The gentleman who is running the show now, that is, the general from the army, was advocating and trying to implement forced virginity tests for the protesters in Tahrir Square.

Let us have a bit of subtlety in our approach and let us have a debate in this House.