David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to remark on the great Gay Pride march that took place on Saturday. I was very proud that the rainbow flag flew from this great parliamentary institution, Leinster House, as well as over the GPO. I was also very proud that the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Admiral Mark Mellett, was there along with the Taoiseach and the Garda Commissioner and that An Post and the GAA - these fundamentally Irish institutions - were represented. We had the Army band, which is always a great addition to a march, and the Garda band. It is terribly important to demonstrate to young people in the country who may be isolated in small villages that the nation of Ireland stands behind them. It is also important to signal this to some of the new Irish who come from backgrounds where homosexuality is completely derided and to other nations.

I noticed that we will have statements on the environment on Thursday. I did signal to the Leader six weeks ago that I was taking this as Private Members' time so I think that is a bit of a mess. I asked him if he would change it but he said "No" so I will be taking measures to deal with this in whatever way I can. With regard to that and the Mercosur agreement, it is astonishing that without protest, or significant protest, in order to facilitate this agreement, an area in the rainforest the size of Leitrim will be destroyed. That indicates one thing to me, namely, that the EU does not give a single, solitary shit about the environment. That is the truth of the matter. Despite all the fine words and blather, the EU conspires to destroy the rainforest.Of course the EU will have the support of Mr. Bolsonaro. It is time that people here registered the strongest possible protest. There is a difficulty with the farmers and there is no question or doubt that Irish beef is produced in the most proper and appropriate way. It is better to produce beef in Ireland, under these circumstances, rather than dragging it over from Brazil where they use hormones, where there is no traceability and that kind of stuff. This is just so Ma Merkel can sell Mercedes motorcars to Brazil. It is a thundering disgrace and I am certainly calling it out. I have sympathy for the farmers but I have a hell of a lot more sympathy for the planet.