Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gorey Musical Society is my hometown musical society. It has had a number of successes over the years and has won a number of awards. We should recognise musical societies all over the country for the contribution they make. It was also appropriate that the winner of the best musical director award was Fintan Cleary of the Wexford Light Opera Society. Mr. Cleary sadly passed away since being nominated. It was an appropriate recognition of his contribution to music and theatre life in County Wexford. He was a great friend to me and many others in the area, and to recognise him in that way was appropriate.

I echo Senator Craughwell's concerns. Senator Conway looks worried when we raise some of these issues, but I have a concern about some of the remarks that were made about Professor Louise Richardson. I have had the pleasure of meeting her. She has made an enormous contribution to education on these islands and across the Atlantic. The way in which the President, quite frankly insulted her was not acceptable.