Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to sound a positive note. The Minister is genuine in terms of his position on this issue. There is a need to move on from what happened and to learn from the mistakes that were made. Those mistakes have been well articulated. I agree with colleagues on all sides who were somewhat dismayed at the speed with which RTE coughed up money in this instance. A significant number of people were of the view that the station made the wrong decision. I am inclined to agree with that school of thought. What RTE did was not appropriate. We need to move on and create a society in which people will not just be equal but which also respects difference. Such a society must recognise that people have different orientations and treat them as equals. We refer to our society as being tolerant but when one contemplates events which have occurred in recent times, it is apparent that we have a long way to go before that will actually be the case.

The message which should go out from Seanad Éireann tonight is that people should aspire to the ideals of tolerance and respect and that we should try to nip the type of outrageous commentary which has occurred - both recently and in the past - in the bud. I was particularly struck by Senator Norris's contribution during a recent appearance on "The Late Late Show", when he described being hit, attacked and jeered in the past couple of years. Everyone knows the Senator is a thorough gentleman and the type of behaviour to which he referred is completely unacceptable. Thankfully, the Garda is on the side of decency.