Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What we cannot allow is the tearing down of this House by the Opposition. Twice now, it has tried to prevent the House from taking a vote. That is not the act of any democrat. Our Constitution protects our right to cast a vote here in this Chamber. Our Standing Orders exist to protect the function of the Chamber and the Ceann Comhairle carries the heavy burden of enforcing them. Let the record show that Deputy after Deputy stood, shouted and screamed, not to be heard but to intimidate. It was a co-ordinated attempt to shut down the democratic process. It would not be allowed in any residents’ association or GAA club around the country, and now, as at a drunken stag party, they cry foul because they did not hear the call for last orders. Well, last orders were called. It is time to put these tactics behind us and get on with people's work.

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