That is the worry.

I agree with Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell in her view on the Sparkasse banking model, for which Ireland is waiting. From speaking to people at the German embassy, I know that it has been a major success. It is a local bank and a people's bank. We need to do more in that regard. It would help the Irish banking system.

I agree with Senators Victor Boyhan and David Norris. We are in a very dangerous situation. Recently I read an interesting article written by Fr. Gerard Moloney in The Irish Times which was headed, "Beware the new Ireland does not become as oppressive as the old". He wrote:

A healthy church does not require the state to enforce its moral code for it, as the Irish church did. A strong state does not abandon the care of its most vulnerable citizens to private religious institutions, as the Irish State did.

Hear, hear.

I listened to people on radio recently. What is happening is petty and cynical and denying people the right to see the Pope or their spiritual leader. We talk about celebrating diversity and encouraging difference, but what is happening does not do that. I appeal to those who are using this situation. What is happening is petty and wrong and they do not have the support of the vast majority of people in the State. I listened to a vox pop on radio when people were asked whether they had obtained tickets to see the Pope in Knock or Dublin. Most of those leaving mass were elderly and did not have the wherewithal to apply online, but they were not complaining. They have been the backbone not just of the Catholic Church but also of the State; therefore, I would be disappointed if they were left out of a unique, significant and joyous occasion. I hope the church and the organisers have some mechanism in place to ensure elderly people - the ones interviewed were committed churchgoers - will receive tickets.

Well said.

Unfortunately, with everything being done online, they are being left out.