Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise, I meant Senator Maurice Cummins; I was thinking about a previous Senator. That is for another day and when the Leader starts writing for the Irish Independent.

Today is an important commemoration for us at a time when we look back on people who have served their country very well. This democracy would not be best served by not having a Seanad Chamber. We can do more and I know the Leader and Cathaoirleach are very open to doing this. Ireland assuming the Presidency of the European Union represents an opportunity for us to move forward with scrutinising EU legislation in this House. We have the wherewithal, the experience and the breadth of knowledge. More than 90% of the legislation affecting the country originates in Europe. What better place to pick through the positives and negatives of these proposals than Seanad Éireann.