Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ag tarlú. Tá an-áthas orm freisin go bhfuil an cháipéis seo os ár gcomhair agus molaim na daoine a bhí i mbun na hoibre chun na cáipéise seo a thabhairt dúinn. Táim lánchinnte go gcabhróidh sí leis an díospóireacht ginearálta.

I welcome the document presented and compliment those responsible for it who, in their own right, are noted for their reforming and campaigning zeal. They have done not only the Seanad but also the nation a service by endeavouring to correct the deficit in the debate. There is a deficit because of the manner in which the bombshell was dropped in the middle of an election campaign, at a time when there was anger. I have no doubt that if the question of the abolition of the Dáil had been raised in the middle of that campaign, the response would have been the same. What is happening is reminiscent of the Republican Party convention in America. The film star Clint Eastwood was extolling the virtues of a prospective Republican candidate for the presidential election and continued to speak to an empty chair as if President Obama was sitting in it. I am not Clint Eastwood, but there is an empty chair in this Chamber today.