Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am proposing that the Order of Business be amended by the deletion of No. 1. I do so because the opportunity is being taken by the Government today to avail of the visit of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Ms Nancy Pelosi, to pull a stunt. I object strongly to what is happening. Others in the House will propose amendments to the Order of Business to deal with that issue. I am conscious of this, but in the past in this House the Taoiseach told us that he was ending the use of the guillotine, yet today an attempt is being made to tear up that commitment.

I want to deal with a number of other matters. Yesterday, on the Order of Business, a number of colleagues spoke about the destruction by fire of the roof of Notre Dame cathedral. In that context, it is worth remembering that the building will be rebuilt and that we should not go over the top in a kind of Princess Diana moment in claiming that there is worldwide grief because of this event. The building can and will be restored. It was restored very heavily before in the 19th century. The spire we all saw fall was a 19th century addition to the original fabric of the building by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. I have no doubt that it is possible to repair such structures, looking at the fantastic work done in the restoration of St. Mel's Cathedral in Longford after its appalling destruction by fire.