Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 22 Members who contributed and I join with all Members in commending and offering felicitations and tributes to the father of the House, Seanadóir David Norris. Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Pháirtí Fhine Gael, gabhaim buíochas leis agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis as ucht an mhéid seirbhíse atá déanta aige ar son toghthóirí na Tríonóide. Senator Norris is renowned for his Joycean scholarship. A Joyce quote I like and which I think pertains to the Senator is: "As I am. As I am. All or not at all". That encapsulates Senator Norris: one can fight, argue, debate or socialise with him but he is who he is, all or not at all. There can be no ambiguity or anything to say other than that Senator Norris is a scholar, as politician, a person of independence of mind and a champion of civil rights for over four decades. I am becoming a little emotional because it is due to the efforts of people such as Senator Norris that people like me can get married in this country.