Shane Ross (Independent)

I endorse the comments of Senators O'Meara and O'Toole about the need for a debate on so-called partnership. The House has surrendered a great deal of its power and influence in recent years by allowing talks to take place in Government Buildings without any input whatsoever or without having the opportunity to rubber-stamp them because they never come before the House. The primacy of democracy is an issue and we have happily surrendered it to unelected people outside the House.

I agree with Senator O'Toole, who picked out the fat cats in our banks who have rewarded themselves with vast sums while others have not been rewarded with such lucrative sums.