John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris's pardon is accepted. We have a bizarre situation. I have no wish to trivialise any issue but perhaps some of the old political heads in the House who know more about this stuff than me could explain something to me. How it is a more crucial and fundamental constitutional question, that needed all the huffing and puffing of a weekend in Malahide, to determine whether the President should serve for seven years or five years rather than whether we should abolish an entire chamber of our Parliament. To me, it is incomprehensible and it speaks to what I believe is the core problem with the abolition campaign.

I am rather reluctant to criticise our Taoiseach. I believe he is the best Taoiseach we have had for a number of years, although I will not specify the timeframe exactly.