Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to be associated with all of the good wishes extended to Senator Norris. I commend him on his long service. When I reflected on his service I realised that he has been involved in politics for four decades that spanned the 1980s, the 1990s, the noughties and now this decade. He has made a substantial contribution and we have witnessed exciting changes in Ireland over the period. I may not agree with everything that he says but I believe it is extremely important that we have diverse views. I worry about the imbalances in Irish society. We need people to challenge viewpoints but we also need to respect each other's views.

As a politician people contact us when they want to visit the Houses of the Oireachtas and, invariably, one takes them to the Members' restaurant. I know from experience that the first person people want to meet is David Norris. He has his own table in the restaurant so people know where he sits and visitors ask to be introduced to him.

Maybe others have referenced Bloomsday and Joyce. I associate the Senator with James Joyce. Senator Norris has probably made a contribution to Ireland's GDP in terms of Bloomsday tourism. It is significant. I have tried to read Ulysses many times. Like many, I have read some of the other books, which I can grasp, but I find Ulyssesdifficult. I enjoy the language, but politics is not conducive to giving the time for the periods of reflection that would be needed while reading it.

I wish the Senator well. Like my colleagues, Senators Paddy Burke and Coghlan, I do not doubt that Senator Norris will be around for many years to come. He is an institution.