Women are not making it to the top. A hundred and ninety heads of state nine are women. Of all the people in parliament in the world thirteen per cent are women. In the corporate sector women at the top - C-level jobs board seats - tops out at fifteen sixteen per cent.

Dullness in matters of government is a good sign and not a bad one - in particular dullness in parliamentary government is a test of its excellence an indication of its success.

I think we can get respect for Parliament back providing governments and oppositions are frank.

I understand the damage the expenses crisis has done to Parliament and the paramount importance of restoring trust in our politics.

We read too much Shakespeare at school and view our parliamentary politics as dynastic drama in which an impatient crown prince frets at his long subordination and begins to scheme for the throne he knows he merits was promised and has earned.

Some people suggest that the problem is the separation of powers. If you had a parliamentary system the struggle for power would not result in such complex peace treaties that empower so many different people to pursue so many contradictory aims.

That is why if Lebanon concludes a peace agreement with Israel and brings that accord to the Parliament our deputies will reject it Hezbollah refuses any conciliation with Israel in principle.

It is not the Government the members of Parliament to whom the ultimate decision belongs it is up to you to go forward sure of your sacred right of free opinion sure of your patriotism.

It is impossible to practice parliamentary politics without having patience decency politeness and courtesy.

The church's teaching on marriage is unequivocal it is uniquely the union of a man and a woman and it is wrong that governments politicians or parliaments should seek to alter or destroy that reality.