Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put on the record that in no way was I being disparaging of or disrespectful to Deputy Barrett. As the Deputy himself knows that I hold him in nothing but the height of esteem, as did my late father. Any person who has served in the Houses of the Oireachtas for almost 40 years deserves nothing but respect from every Member, myself included. All I was trying to do was to highlight the fact that Sinn Féin has committed to voting for the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill once the Government introduces sentencing guidelines as part of the accompanying package. That is so ironic and as other Deputies have said, it is wrong to do so at this critical time. I wholeheartedly agree with Deputy Barrett's experienced, reasoned, sensible and sound contribution. He may not realise it but when he spoke one would hear a pin drop because quite simply everyone here, with the exception of the Minister perhaps, agreed with him. The Deputy definitely got a very good hearing from Members on this side of the House. His is the voice of experience and in time to come, people might reflect on what Deputy Barrett said. Future politicians who have yet to be elected may say "My God, yes, that man was right".

I mean it from my heart and soul because there seems to be a race to the bottom. We saw this in the past. Deputy Barrett was Ceann Comhairle when local councils were abolished. I disagreed with that. It was a populist thing to advocate getting rid of politicians. The Government was saying it would get rid of the Seanad. I do not know why the Minister is smiling because he was shouting to get rid of the Seanad. Many of the people who were in favour of getting rid of the Seanad at the time were damned glad to have it to get into when they lost their seats in the Dáil election.

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