David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sure he will remember the good parts, including when Humpty Dumpty said words mean what I want them to mean, no more, no less. That is the same with emergency legislation. There are rulings all over the place. The Cathaoirleach is a very decent and honourable man but I have challenged several of his rulings when I think they are absurd. We have had situations here under previous Cathaoirligh where I had a motion, that was supposed to be a national emergency, ruled out of order as it was not a national emergency, while Charlie Haughey was declaring it a national emergency in the other House at the very same time. Please do not tell me that one cannot slip through whatever one wants.

The other thing is this reference to a statement. That is wonderful. We will get a statement, but in what way will it be processed? It will go through the Dáil where the Government has a massive majority and it will go through this House where those on the Minister of State's side have already voted for their own extinction. He will not have too much difficulty with his party. It is extremely presumptuous to say, "Once the Seanad is abolished". That argument is not finished yet. There are plenty of fat ladies around this country and the Minister of State had better wait until they sing because they will give him a clout if he does not.

Regarding all the talk about reforming the Dáil, the Minister of State is belly-aching about the fact that the Seanad would not reform itself. We did everything we possibly could do, including the 1979 measure. For the past 28 years every person on these benches have been demanding reform. The Minister of State's party would not do it, and what did it do about the Dáil? Sweet damn all. It is a disgrace. What the Minister of State is saying is live horse and you will get grass, or live pig and you will get grass. Let the people see the pig.