There are three or four people who were here for the entire eight or 12 hours.

We might be better off if Senator Norris was not here at all sometimes.

The Leader might think that because I am doing my job, which he does not particularly like.

Some of the Senator's rhetoric yesterday was bordering on the hysterical. He would have been better advised to stay shtum to be honest.

That is the Leader's nonsensical point of view.

I will not take lectures from Senator Norris or from anybody else about the role my party played in the formation of our State, about how we appoint judges or about why they are appointed.

I do not have the slightest idea what the Leader is talking about.

We have certainly always looked for independence for the Judiciary. I will not take hysterical lectures from anybody.

Who, I might ask, is hysterical now?

I will defend the work Fine Gael has done since we came into government. I will not listen to the windbaggery of some around here who are playing to the Gallery and the Fourth Estate-----

Hysteria, hysteria.

-----and trying to get cheap headlines. The Senator would be better off working to make amendments to the Bill rather than getting hysterical headlines.

The Leader should not be sidetracked. He should address the Chair.

Hysteria, hysteria.

The record of the Fine Gael Party of appointing judges in government is second to none and we will continue to do the right thing as the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, said yesterday. We will not take lectures from Senator Norris, or from anybody else for that matter.