Rónán Mullen (Independent)

When Senator Walsh mentioned the British aristocracy, I thought he was going to talk about the Sinn Féin candidate for Louth. I am very glad he mentioned Lord Nicholas Windsor, who is an eloquent advocate of the need to protect the dignity of human life at all stages from conception to natural death. By raising this very important issue today, Senator Walsh highlights the Seanad working at its best. In thanking the Cathaoirleach, the officials and colleagues for many thoughtful interventions and comments that have contributed to the life of the Seanad over recent years, it is appropriate that we note that there have been high points in the Seanad. Examples include Senator White's speech today about the importance of the issue of suicide and the need for us to keep the focus on it, and Senator Walsh advocating eloquently for the dignity of human life, especially unborn life.

These are issues that are not often or properly ventilated in the media, especially the latter issue. There was an absolutely barbaric case about the activities of one abortionist in America last week who, in addition to killing many late-term unborn children, also killed at least one woman involved. It was interesting to note that it featured on almost every news channel, but I did not see it on RTE. Time and again, there has been a failure in the Irish media to tell the full truth about a range of issues and there has been a suffocating political correctness. On that issue at least, the Seanad has shone on occasions, thanks in no small part to people like Senators Walsh, Hanafin, Ó Murchú, Bradford, Coghlan and others.

There have been disappointments as well. Senators Quinn and Ross are absolutely right to point to the fact that we should continue to function while we are drawing salaries as Seanadóirí over the next couple of months. There have been many missed opportunities, such as our failure to press for Seanad reform, the opportunities missed by not sitting, the guillotining of Bills when it suited the Government's agenda or press conferences being held on the plinth, and the faltering approach to the investigation of complaints against our colleagues. These have been low points.