Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

11:00 am

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Independent)

The previous speaker raised a good point. I would like the Leader to answer a question I asked yesterday, to which I got no answer. There have been some great contributions here today. Senators Donohoe, Hannigan and others said that we should get relevant and talk about last night's interest rate drop in America. Those contributions will be ignored. We will not be granted a debate on that matter. The point I made yesterday was that much of what happens in the Seanad is regarded by the Government as people letting off hot air and then we are ignored. The point was also addressed by Senators O'Toole and Fitzgerald. It is fine for the Government to talk to the social partners and it is appropriate that it should do so, but where is the centre of power? Who is sovereign in this State? Who pulls the strings?

What was said in the Seanad today was very valuable, but it will be totally and utterly ignored. What was said on the Order of Business will be very beneficial for those people who said it, they will have got some satisfaction out of it, they will have raised the issue, but that will be the end of it, whereas outside this House much is going on which is dictating the pace of affairs in the State. We have a really big problem. We should address with courage the issue of the social partners and other people, to whom Senator Norris also referred, who pull the strings in this State, because it is not us. Whereas it is very useful and satisfying for us to come in and raise these issues, they go no further than 11.30 on a Wednesday morning. That is the end of them.

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