Eoghan Harris (Independent)

Like Senator Norris, I wish to assure the Cathaoirleach I do not intend to breach his recommendation not to discuss our move. However, Senator MacSharry is quite right to raise the matter of the image of the House and I wish to make a small comment on this.

Like any political institution, the greatest danger facing the Seanad is that of being too pompous about its image. The Seanad has been around for a long time and it is likely to be around for a long time more. If a few populists in the press like to sneer and have a few jokes let them at it. The great Earl of Clarendon stated the best way to deal with libels is to ignore them and by ignoring them appear not to deserve them. We are giving these people too much status. Vincent Browne may be looking for a column and he deserves it. He is a national institution like we are. I do not recommend that he be abolished or even reformed. He does his thing and we do ours.