Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Cannon, Ross, Bacik, Boyle, Mooney, Regan, Twomey, Buttimer, Coghlan, Donohoe and Feeney expressed their views regarding the Taoiseach playing a game of golf in Druids Glen on the first day of his holidays in 2008. I play a great deal of golf. I have not had the opportunity to play much during the past 12 months as a result of the demands placed on my time by the affairs of the State. If someone spoke to me about business while we were on a golf course, I would never play a round with him or her again. I do not know anyone who would engage in a discussion on business when involved in a game of hurling or football. Golf is even more intense than either of the latter, particularly as a result of the fact that there is no referee involved. One is obliged to play the game for oneself.

During the Order of Business, many Members have referred to golf as if they were professionals when the truth is that they do not have a goddamn clue about what they are talking.