David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure how many parties Senator McDowell has been in during his career. I suppose that when one founds the Progressive Democrats and they collapse, it projects one, willy-nilly, into a form of independence. I have not been held back on the Order of Business and have been allowed to introduce legislation. I am a completely independent Independent. Senator McDowell graciously referred to my absence from the House but he is a little bit new to the House and does not realise that one does not refer to the absence of another Member. I gather he was told this but, for his information, I play a full and active role in this House. I had a Commencement matter today and went from that matter, which I shared with Senator Buttimer, to a briefing about the Canadian trade association.I was fulfilling my parliamentary-----