Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. It was a great day on 18 June 750 years ago when Parliament was instituted. The alternative, as my schoolteacher used to say, was robber bands - except that he pronounced it "rubber bands", leaving us to wonder what on earth were these rubber bands to which the alternative was Parliament. I am glad that we are here. It is a terrific occasion. The last time the Minister came, it was to honour Seamus Heaney. It was one of the finest sessions we ever had, with the tributes and the poetry.