David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Can we continue to follow the jobs' trail because it appears that anybody on the Government side who behaves treacherously towards Seanad Éireann receives a very nice little pat on the head and other rewards? This is interesting as it is similar to what took place in Gandon's parliament. We should do a study of former Senators who go to the Lower House and rubbish the House they were glad enough to use. That they suddenly do extraordinarily well is remarkable and is an issue we should examine. The Government was cute to bounce the extinction of the Seanad, a mutilation of the Constitution and Oireachtas, right into the middle of a period when it knew the issue would not receive media coverage because Deputies were either murdering each other or behaving indecorously in the other House. The Government wants to preserve the Lower House in order that Deputies can have their horseplay or whatever they want to call it, continue to drink until 5 a.m. and make nonsense of various serious Bills. It bounced the Bill to abolish the Seanad into the House in the silly season and in the middle of a row in the other House.