Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment to the Order of Business moved by Senator Daly. I commend him for his achievement in regard to the motion. It is a pity that Senator Norris was not asked to speak before Senators Humphreys and Reilly. I will forgive Senator Lombard because he is new to the House. The word "intelligence" was used by Senator Norris. If it had to be used prior to the contribution of those Senators, perhaps he would have been intelligent enough not to speak.

If we want to rehearse history and the economic downturn in the House, we can and we have no difficulty in so doing. Senator Humphreys and what is left of his party were in government for five years, and the people of this country gave their verdict on that.For five years the Senator's party, predominantly, talked about my party and what it did to the economy. The people of this country are brighter and more intelligent than that and gave the Government its verdict. Any day the Senator's party wants to come into this House to debate the issue my party will do so. We have no difficulty in doing so.

I welcome the fact that the CPP has agreed that any Member of this House can come in and read from a script. Not all of us have had an opportunity to lecture big crowds, participate in television programmes or take to the stage as Senator Norris and other individuals have done. In particular, I am delighted for one reason and that is for the 35 or so people who are employed by Sinn Féin. I do not want to see them disappeared and losing their jobs. If they have to be employed then so be it and I am glad to see them employed. I welcome the fact-----