Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept that but there are issues with respect to this matter and if I would be allowed to conclude what I stood up to say, it might clarify them. This House and its Members have long been accused of being a useless drain on public moneys. It is hard to defend this view when some who have been given the privilege to serve do not bother to turn up to debate some of the most important, humane and, perhaps, bravest legislation introduced by any Oireachtas in the history of this State. Worse still, if one of those habitual absentees turned up when there was just enough time remaining in a debate for one speaker, they would have priority over me-----