It’s not been a good week for our parliamentarians. Lap-gate and tales of the dail bar staying open until 5am do nothing for the standing of politicians and would act as a disincentive for any young person considering a career in politics. It also gives us another example of the dysfunctional relationship we have with drink. But that is another day’s work. Undaunted wants to concentrate on an event that happened in the cold light of day when those involved were in control of both their senses and their words. Yes, it’s time Undaunted spoke of the good Senator and his intemperate language.
Senator Norris has been debating since a teen. Senator Norris has crafted and used language since he ambled his way through Front Square of TCD all those years ago. One of the most important tools in the debater’s armoury is the will to stay cool during a heated debate. It is true that Senator Norris has been a great senator and a great man during his time in the upper house. He has used his wit and humour to great effect. He has championed some of the best and most important progressive causes within and without the state. He has been the victim of some crass linguistic attacks himself and yet it seems his latter years will be remembered for a grossly offensive and sexist diatribe aimed at a female TD.
Everything about the outburst was wrong. While the phrase ‘Regina Monologue’ seems to be humourous, what followed showed there was intent to obviously reduce Ms Doherty to an object. The offence was made worse by what can only be described as a mealy-mouthed apology where the senator tried to deflect the grossness of the comments by saying it would be used against him in the forthcoming referendum campaign. The offensive language is the key here. No cause, however strongly you feel about it, can be furthered by the use of this appalling language.
Senator Norris’s personal statement on his cancer lodged in my brain for another strange use of language. Like many people I have relatives and friends who have lived or are living with cancer. Senator Norris’ pronouncement that he wanted to publicize his cancer so he could ‘lift the stigma’ associated with the illness struck me as odd at the very least. A stigma does not raise millions through Daffodil Day. A stigma is not the bravery of relatives or friends. The use of that word now seems to border on self-serving and grossly offensive.
Dylan Thomas wrote about raging against the dying of the light. Are the two outbursts in the last fortnight the beginning of Senator Norris’ swan song? If they are that would be extremely sad and tragic. A fine career of public service will be overshadowed by cantankerous outbursts and cryptic statements. I don’t want the Senator to be remembered for this.
