I will start with my disappointment that people on that side of the House would turn around and say that people on this side of the House are far right or far left. I am a father. I have been heckled-----
Sentiment score: -0.17
Excuse me. I did not interrupt you, so have the courtesy to shut your mouth and listen to somebody.
Sentiment score: 0.33
That is as much as it comes to. I am going to put something on the record very clearly to you now as well, Conor Sheehan, since you talk about Limerick and put Limerick people down. I am going to talk to you as a parent.
Sentiment score: 0.21
I am going to talk to you if you may listen, but you do not listen.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Chair, these people-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
I am going to talk to these people.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Correct - respect. That is what I am asking for, and it is the one word I have written down here for you today. It is "respect".
Sentiment score: 0.16
I have been heckled in this House, saying I am anti-gay and anti-this.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Excuse me. Again, you cannot be quiet and listen to somebody else's opinion. It is called respect. I have been heckled in this House on more than one occasion, be that for my religion, for being over here, for being far right. I am going to put something very clear to you: I am a parent and a grandparent. I have a son who is gay. None of you ever said to me, "Gee, Richard, we did not know that." You do not know me but you make assumptions about people. The one thing I will do for anyone, whether they are up in the Gallery or not, whether I agree with them or not, is respect and help them every bit I can.
Sentiment score: 0.08
I will respect and help people. That is my duty of care as a politician. People then say that one of our party members made an assumption. That is his opinion. It does not have to be mine. Allow a person to have their own opinion. All I am asking for is to be able to have my own opinion. My opinion is that there are an awful lot of people out there who are scared and lack understanding. The world is changing. Friends of mine are gay, friends of mine are lesbian and friends of mine are transgender. Friends of mine are scared because their children are coming up. My job here is to help them regardless of whether I agree with them or not. The job of doctors is to help people whether they agree with them or not. Education on this is key. As I said at the start, I have my own religion. I respect everyone else's religion, but respect mine. I have my opinion. It does not have to be the same as yours, but respect mine. At the end of the day, I am here to help, I am here to learn, I am here to give respect to whoever I can regardless of whether I agree with them or not. That is my opinion, and that is why I started off as I did. The Deputies thought I was going down a different road, but I am not.
Sentiment score: 0.26
This is what I am trying to say. Politicians come in here and say something sometimes for a headline. I say what I feel, being part of me. If Members do not agree with it, that is their problem. Remember this: I went around to many houses during the election. I went to one house and a person opened the door. They were identifying as a fox. Did I respect them? Did I talk to them? Yes, I did. Did I have to agree with it? No, I did not, but I respected them and spoke to them the same as a human being.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Again, I am a believer-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
Somebody just called me a gobshite.
Sentiment score: 0.00
This is the fool we are talking about. Again, a person can have an opinion.
Sentiment score: -0.22
A person can have an opinion, and each side of this House will not allow opinion unless it is their opinion. As an adult, this is about-----
Sentiment score: -0.08
Again, if the Deputies to my right keep interrupting, it means I am saying something that is hurting them very deeply. I have my opinion and I am here to help anyone who is in whatever situation they are in, regardless of whether I agree with it or not. This is what I am talking about. Everyone in this country deserves healthcare - end of story - regardless of their circumstances or whatever else. They deserve healthcare, and that is what the motion is about. It is about caring and giving healthcare to people regardless of what it is about.
Sentiment score: 0.12