David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleague in welcoming the first woman bishop in the church, either here or on the neighbouring island. I welcome also the humane statements of Pope Francis, which show there is compassion and dialogue. There is none in the Government. There is no dialogue whatever and no attempt to meet the people. Every attempt is made to stamp out discussion. The Government is refusing to allow the matter of Seanad abolition near the Constitutional Convention. It is a question of, "Take it or leave it." The people have taken it in that they have taken the tax increases and the mess the Fianna Fáil Government walked us into with the support of the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. The current Government is as complicit as anybody else. The Taoiseach voted for every measure that ruined this country. No wonder he is a little bit shy. He refused to debate with me over the past three months - I suppose I am nobody of any great consequence but I am the father of the House – and he refused to debate with Deputy Micheál Martin, the Leader of the Opposition. Tonight he is having a little discussion out in Killiney Castle with Mr. Colm McCarthy, a Government appointee from an bord snip who agrees with him. They should call it after Micheál MacLiammóir: "I Must be Talking to my Friends". It is a question of the Taoiseach not discussing anything and not answering or asking any questions, such as the question as to how many times the Dáil defeated Government legislation.