Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the House for starting the Order of Business ten minutes late, but as the Leader of the Opposition has outlined, it was in the course of unveiling a portrait of the great Senator Norris. His contribution to this House in the longest unbroken record of service was marked by the unveiling of a portrait of him. As Senator Boyhan outlined, he championed minority causes when nobody else would speak on them. Often forgotten as we go through this pandemic is the previous pandemic of the AIDS virus, which was a silent killer in Ireland. Nobody in the establishment or society in general wanted to talk about it, but Senator Norris raised it here time and again until he ensured there was a change in public policy. That shows the power of him as an Independent and the power of the Seanad in its role of raising issues that were uncomfortable for society. He forced change by his presence in this House. It was great to be there this morning to honour his great service to the country.