Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On a point of order, I object to the Minister of State just putting on the record a speech instead of setting out the details of the Bill. It is unacceptable and insulting to the Seanad that the Minister would not explain what is in the Bill for the purposes of the debate. It is unprecedented and I call on the Minister of State to argue his point. Otherwise, we may as well close the doors, walk out and abolish the Seanad immediately as it will just be a rubber stamp.

If the Government Senators are willing to do that, fair play, but I am not willing to do it and I object to it in the most fundamental way.