David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to respectfully disagree with my colleague, Senator Ruane. I think it is terribly dangerous to say, "I believe you before you open your mouth." Everything we do must be evidence based. There have been false accusations. We should be very careful in this sensitive area.

The banks are at it again - what else is new? I would like to talk a little bit about the poppy. I listened to Senator Neale Richmond this morning on the wireless and I thought he was extremely dignified in what he said. I used to wear the poppy. I do not any more because I am so much against war. The poppy was a symbol that also raised money for the people who were mutilated and injured in the two great World Wars.My father got the marine VC in the First World War and a knighthood in the Second World War. He was English but, if anybody challenges me, I am descended from one high king, six kings of Leinster and I do not know how many kings of Ossory, so I am as Irish as anybody else in this place. There were 250,000 Irish volunteers at the time of the First World War and 50,000 in the Second World War. I am delighted my Fianna Fáil colleague raised the question of Gordon Wilson. I remember Gordon Wilson very well as do other Members of the House. He was a good friend of mine. We used to go to a conference in Oxford every year where we met people from the violent republican movement. It was an opportunity to exchange views and to try to bring peace. He was a very remarkable man and I am glad his words were echoed today.

I would like to end with one memory of that period. On the day of the Enniskillen bombing - or the day after, I cannot remember which - somebody brought a poppy and laid it on the Cathaoirleach's desk and the Cathaoirleach wore it that day. It was breaking the rules but it was a very important signal of solidarity. The people who were blasted into nothing in Enniskillen on that tragic day were just ordinary simple people going about their business remembering their relatives and family who had died. It was a tragic and disgraceful thing. Gordon Wilson's words were wise and Christian and it is appropriate that we honour him here today.