Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I also wish to be associated with the words of congratulation to former Senator Alan Kelly on his election. I wish him well in his time in Europe. It is a very difficult job to represent the most important part of Ireland. I look forward to his work and encourage him to sell the European message as loudly and articulately as possible, as I have no doubt he will, especially over the next six months. I wish him well in that regard.

The bartering and bargaining with Seanad seats, trying to buy spiritual indulgence and gain by offering seats to the Green Party, reminds me of the old sin of simony. It is unseemly and unacceptable. It gives the impression of the old all-conquering invader walking up the beach with baubles for the native Greens, having trinkets to buy them off and little bits of broken mirrors to pull them over to one side and calm them down. It is unacceptable and it offers another reason for the need for Seanad reform to come to the fore.