Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the interests of democracy - we have been joking about the burning of the Reichstag but we are coming close to that type of climate - it is essential that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, comes to the House, before we go any further in considering the Bill to abolish the Seanad, to explain the rationale behind his assumption that the Bill would be passed and the arrogance of that, which is an insult to Uachtarán na hÉireann and to the people, and to account for the fabrications and porkies he has been telling about the so-called savings which will accrue. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, said it would be €50 million, but now the figure is €20 million. On the radio this morning, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, said it would be approximately €9 million. I maintain it will be nil because the Taoiseach wants to replace the Seanad with a Star Chamber, which we will find will cost €10 million. I will not propose an amendment to the Order of Business in order to facilitate debate, but it is essential that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, comes to the House to explain himself.