Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, the good weather has brought many tragedies to different communities throughout the country and many young people have drowned. On Sunday evening last there was a call that a young person had fallen into the sea from the east pier in my home town of Carlingford and within minutes the air and sea rescue service, ambulances, Civil Defence and the river rescue team had all congregated on the pier. Searching went on for hours until dark. Before leaving for Dublin the next morning, I was amazed that it appeared the search had been called off. I have been in communication since and learned that it had been called off, as, apparently, it had been a hoax call. At this time of year, when tragedies have happened in many communities, as I have said, it is a dastardly act and incomprehensible. It is my hope and wish that the perpetrators will be brought to justice as soon as possible.

As I stated yesterday, I support the call for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to come to the House to explain his fictitious €20 million figure for the cost of the Seanad per annum. Another Minister has told us that there would be no reduction in costs, as the costs of the Seanad would be transferred to the new. There are two important men around the Cabinet table giving us different messages and I would like to have it confirmed what the true costs are? How many staff will lose their jobs and what is the net cost of the Seanad?