Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Neither the Minister nor I could dismiss the case put to us without giving it serious consideration and nor did we feel comfortable about some of the charges implicitly made during yesterday's proceedings, when we were alleged to have either demeaned or affronted a House of the Oireachtas. This accusation left me uneasy and I chose not to respond to it immediately. It was also suggested that we were being guided by the interpretations of civil servants who exerted undue control over us. I recall Senator Higgins lambasting as a great loss to members of the Opposition the tremendous support civil servants provide to Ministers.