David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I formally second Senator Humphreys's proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

On the eighth amendment, I was abroad so could not take part in the debate. My views are pretty well known and I have stated them over many years. I think I was the first person in Ireland to put abortion down on a manifesto in 1977, which is a long time ago. I think the Government would be foolish if it attaches to the referendum suggestions of 12-week free-range abortion. It would be much better advised to go for the removal of the eighth amendment simpliciter and then leave time for debate and discussion about what replaces it. It took a long time for the leaders of the two parties to come to their conclusions after having read the report of the committee and all the rest of it. The Irish public also needs sufficient time.

I was astonished to receive in the post a list of CEOs and their incomes. It went from €5.5 million down to a mere piddling €1 million. It is just astonishing. Some of them were people from the banks, which are a public disgrace. They are getting millions for making a balls of running the banks. I just do not understand it.