Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a commitment as well. My dear aunt, Mary Maloney Leyden, died in Multyfarnham in Mullingar and I must attend the funeral tomorrow. She was a great friend of mine, but these things happen.

I was explaining to the Minister of State's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, about the wonderful work done in the report on Seanad reform. The select committee was chaired by a former Minister, Mary O'Rourke, and was contributed to by the then Senator Brian Hayes, one of the Lords Castlereagh of this Parliament, former Senator John Dardis, the then Deputy Leader, and the former Senator Joe O'Toole, an accomplished co-ordinator of the Independent group.

On 14 January that year, Senator Brendan Ryan decided to resign from the sub-committee because of his dissatisfaction with the manner of appointment of the three ordinary Members from Seanad Éireann to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. Senator Ryan was a valued and committed member of the sub-committee who made a significant contribution to the review. The sub-committee regretted his decision to resign. He is now a Member of Dáil Éireann.

This is a vital document because it has the imprimatur of the man who is trying to get rid of the Seanad. The front man for the Government.