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

They are in the Seanad now and they are very proud Members of that House. They are the very Members who were shouting to abolish it during the term of the last Government. That is why Deputy Barrett was 100% right in what he said. Perhaps the Minister and others might not like it but it is nice to hear a person of experience talking sense. It is only right that people like me, who have been around for only a fraction of the time of Deputy Barrett, listen to what he says.

It is like a race to the bottom in the belief politicians cannot be trusted and that, instead of giving them the position of chair, lay people should be appointed. My goodness, what are people being elected for if they are going to be abdicating their responsibilities? As rightly stated, politicians have to be judged regularly when elections are called. If they are making right or wrong decisions, the public will deal with them at the time of an election.

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