Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to know from my colleague from County Clare, whom I respect, whether the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, gave him the clarification he sought in advance of 7 p.m. this evening on the apparent saving of €20 million that would accrue if this House were abolished. What he said was a lie.

I have no fear of a referendum whatsoever but simply ask for an honest debate. I am not sure how I can take seriously anything ever said again by a Government Senator in this House after what has happened this evening. There is no point in listening to them because they have rolled over and allowed themselves to be walked upon by the most centralised Government we have ever had in this State. For the Government, reform is abolition. The Members opposite should never introduce a Private Members' motion again in this House, nor should they come in and cry about mortgage arrears; there is no point.