David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach is most welcome. On the question of leaving the Commonwealth, I think this was a knee-jerk anglophobic response. I wish to put on the record that it was soundly condemned by the sole surviving leader of the 1916 rebellion, Éamon de Valera.

I remind the Taoiseach of his statement in the House the last time he was here when he was very lyrical about the new politics. Among other things he stated that there would be an abandonment of the use of the guillotine. I understand that there can be difficulties with long speeches and protracted discussions but all of this was known at the time the Taoiseach made these very useful statements. The Bill in question, which resulted from a deal with the then Independent, Deputy Shane Ross, as part of the programme for the incoming Government, is very controversial and has not been welcomed by a single Member of this House.

In the light of the fact that only yesterday this House resoundingly rejected an attempt to impose the guillotine on an amendment put forward by myself and my colleagues, would the Taoiseach now restate very clearly his opposition to the use of the guillotine in parliamentary tactics?