Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

It makes a mockery of the role of the Seanad as a debating Chamber when only Members on one side are making contributions to the debate. It is outrageous. The last four contributions have been made by Fine Gael Members. Members of the Fianna Fáil Party appear to have lost their tongues. We were elected to the Seanad to voice concerns about legislation, but Members on the Government side are failing in this task.

It is clear that the Government is concerned about the way the use of the Act is damaging its reputation. Last weekend, the Sunday Independent obtained information under the Act regarding the expenditure of €500,000 on the refurbishment of the Minister's office at the Department of Health and Children in the same week that 20 patients waiting for dialysis treatment encountered severe difficulties in some Dublin hospitals. It has also been revealed that the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, is planning to sell the family silver to make up for shortfalls in other areas. It is proposed to sell some State owned properties.