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Seanad
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Bonfire safety and sectarianism

Summary

Senator Norris criticises sectarian rhetoric and calls for proper supervision of bonfires after fires endangered terraced houses, while also supporting debate on higher education funding.

Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

I call Senator David Norris. As I did not want to leave him until last, I am using my discretion to let him speak.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

The Cathaoirleach is very kind and it is appreciated.

I have to laugh at Sinn Féin. Last week it was agonising about pensions paid from Great Britain, while this week it is talking about sectarianism. From a blatantly sectarian organisation, that is quite rich.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

There is a problem about the supervision of bonfires. I do not give a damn about people's election literature being burned. Most of it is rubbish. However, the bonfires were not supervised properly and a row of terraced houses on fire was set on fire as a result. That is much more serious.

I support the calls for a debate on the Cassells report. Universities in Ireland are consistently dropping down the rankings. I think Trinity College Dublin is still in the top 100 in Europe, but there is a huge deficit. I am surprised and delighted to learn that UCD is still in credit, which is astonishing. I think that medical training is a really good investment, despite the fact that 17 doctors left for Australia. I do not know what one can do about this. One cannot very well imprison them here. I remember when an entire class of nurses left Galway. It is shocking that this happens, but I do not know what one can do about it. It is time, however, that we had a really good debate about it. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

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