Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

----- the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission published a report in this regard. It was given to Members approximately three weeks before the Seanad rose for the summer and provided figures on the cost of the Dáil and the Seanad. All Members will have received a copy of the aforementioned report and with my poor arithmetic, I could make out that the cost of wages,expenses and staff for the Seanad was €9.03 million.

Clearly there are additional costs such as IT, pensions and others but I am sure that by 4 October the people will have their arithmetic done as to whether these amount to €20 million and will be able to decipher who is right or wrong in that regard.

Senator Kelly called for a commission of inquiry on the death of Fr. Niall Molloy, a matter also addressed by Senator Coghlan. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator Healy Eames spoke about the rights of children with a disability and asked when the mental capacity Bill would be put into law. I will make inquiries in that regard.

Senator Bradford also asked about costs of the Seanad. I agree with him that any campaign should be fought on facts not fiction.