Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

How is that a means of having confidence in a House of which we are Members? How can one have confidence in a House that is meant to be an Upper House rather than a mini Dáil? I am as guilty as anybody for creating a mini Dáil out of this House but understand that we must become realists and consider how we respond.

If we are to have confidence in one another and create an Upper House that is meaningful and has a role, we must do as I propose. Under the Constitution, the House has a very clear role. We must never forget that. I am very much in favour of the retention of Seanad Éireann.

Irrespective of what Senator O'Toole believes or says, the councillors who elect us to the majority of the panels take their jobs very seriously. They do not take Senator Doherty's remarks on board in that they are not swayed by people giving out largesse. I have never given anything to anybody. The majority of Senators do not do so. Senator Doherty's party was the very party that had a pact with another party to create a seat for itself in this House. He is talking from both sides of his mouth. Sinn Féin could not wait to do a deal with another party in order to have a Member in this House. Sinn Féin is the party that must present its ballot papers to a certain group of people to make sure they vote the right way. At least I can sit down opposite the county manager in Cork and vote for whoever I want.