David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Then we had Judge Thomas O'Donnell's view that it was extraordinary that pubs could not open on the Munster rugby weekend. I am 73 years old. Rugby was never played on a Sunday in my day. Cricket was never played on a Sunday. Hockey was never played on a Sunday. What is there now? It has been turned into one totally bland year. There are 365 days, all the same. Ireland is being turned into a bland theme park with leprechaun museum, Carrolls' ghastly plastic shillelaghs and squiffy green squash top hats. This is not the Ireland that I love and it is not the Ireland that I want to see.

I am very glad to have been able to take part in this debate. I sat for a couple of hours and I saw people who had not been in the place at all come swanning in and get taken straight away. I know that the Acting Chairman was advised by the staff that I was not to be taken until everybody else had been taken. That is rubbish. I ought to put this on the record so the staff will know. I wrote to Senator Denis O'Donovan, who is the Cathaoirleach, and he raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It was felt that, in light of the fact that I am the father of the House and all the rest of these things, that after the Leaders had been taken, I should be allowed in from time to time when an appropriate spot was found. I think that is the proper way to deal with things. It is not appropriate to hold somebody to be the very last speaker, and have people coming in-----