From the archive: Senator Paddy McGowan labels David Norris a '˜buckserologist' - February 1993

Donegal Senator Paddy McGowan offered a warm welcome to Senate newcomer, Gordon Wilson, at the opening session of Seanad Éireann on Wednesday.

But he cautioned: “He will need all his courage if he is going to survive and maintain his sanity in this house.”

The Fianna Fáil representative, however, reserved some sharp comments for Senator David Norris. He accused him of being in a “privileged position” as a University senator.

He also labelled Senator Norris a “buckserologist”, which he maintained was “somebody who knew everything about everything”.

‘Anti-Donegal conspiracy’ afoot

Fine Gael T.D., Paddy Harte, last night claimed there was an “anti-Donegal conspiracy at government level”, which meant that people in the county were forced to fight for everything. Speaking in the wake of his three day suspension from the Dáil, Deputy Harte said he was very “disillusioned” with the ruling, which will see him sit out the next three days of debate in the Oireachtas. The Raphoe-based Deputy explained that late on Wednesday night Pat Cox M.E.P. informed him there would be no European Funds for Donegal’s seed potato growers and this sparked a confrontation in the house.

£5m complex for Buncrana?

A £5m sports and leisure complex has been proposed for the Castle Park area of Buncrana.

It is understood that the development, which includes a waterworld, a swimming pool, three cinemas, a banqueting hall, bowling alley, coffee shop and six shop units, as well as accommodation for a medieval centre, is being proposed by a Northern Ireland consortium who have already had talks with Buncrana Youth Club, the leaseholders of the site earmarked for the complex. P.J. Hallinan, chair of the Youth Club, said the consortium chose Buncrana as an ideal location for thep roposed complex.