David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the remarks of Senator Bacik about the festivals and in particular her gracious remarks about my own participation. I remember when Bloomsday was not very popular. I am very glad to say we have saved No. 35 North Great George Street. It is in splendid, sparkling condition. I am no longer chairman but I am a member of the board and I attended a board meeting there this morning and all the news was very positive indeed.

I can remember well when Ronnie Delaney won that Olympic medal. I remember listening to the race relayed by the BBC from Australia on an old crackling wireless set and being so thrilled.It turned out that he was just giving thanks to God for his victory. He was a neighbour who lived not too far away. All of us in Dublin 4 joined up and started running. We all fancied ourselves as young Ronnie Delanys.

With regard to evictions, I agree very much with Senator MacSharry. We should have further discussion on this issue. I have been pushing this since before the first evictions. I warned about it and looked for a Department to be established to give people security in their homes. I am interested in the O'Donnell situation on the Vico Road. I understand a judgment finding against the couple has been handed down by the High Court. What interested me is how on earth a solicitor and his wife were permitted to run up debts of €71 million. That is the astonishing thing. Why were the banks handing out not just shovelfuls, but lorry loads of money all over the place? They have some complicity in this. It is not just the greedy individuals themselves; it is also the financial institutions who displayed an awful lack of morality.