Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a lot to say as it is a bit after the event and anything I would say is probably obair in aisce. However, I would not let the occasion go without saying some few words. This is probably the saddest day in my lifetime in politics. I came into politics at a very young age. I was born into a political family and was the secretary of my local Fianna Fáil cumann at the age of 15. I served 22 years in local authorities before I was elevated to this Chamber. I understood the political world fairly well, I think, and I always have the greatest respect for people in this business. I have never in my life been judgmental about people who vote in a different way from me.

I speak in support of Senator Barrett's excellent amendment and I want to commend him on his sterling performance here, not only in this amendment but right through this term of the Seanad, along with his other university comrades. I never thought I would see a day like this. I always had tremendous faith in our political system. Even as a young man and right through my life, I always looked up to Dáil Éireann, no matter who was in government. I always looked up to the Seanad and to the Presidency of Ireland with great pride. Right up to an hour ago, I never thought I would actually witness a House of the Oireachtas effectively voting for its own destruction, because, really and truly, I believe that is what the people on other side have done.

I do not at all blame those in the Fine Gael Party or the Labour Party. I am a political warhorse myself and I understand the constraints we all operate under. However, I have something to say about the Taoiseach's 11. When they were appointed, they were heralded here as the team of stars - all singing and dancing, all the talents. We were to admire them, and we did, and we appreciated their delivery and contribution here. In contrast, we were just supposed to be ordinary foot soldiers. In any case, that was the perception the media created and, in fairness, some of the Taoiseach's 11 actually believed that themselves. Tonight was their night, however, and they came up very short tonight, with the exception of two gracious colleagues who stood with democracy, in my view.

The point I am trying to make is this. What the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, is proposing is that, instead of this Chamber, there would be a star chamber, as I describe it, of people he will select himself. What chance have those people of showing any bit of independence when the 11 here tonight failed us? They did not have to toe the line. I do not believe that, when the Taoiseach picked up the telephone and rang Senator Katherine Zappone, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien or anybody else, he said "I want you to come into the Seanad and do everything I tell you to do", because I do not believe people of their integrity would have accepted that condition. However, they went missing tonight, which is very disappointing for me.

People can point the finger in future at political parties and the way we operate, and many of the 11 were quite critical of our Whip system and all of that down through the years. Maybe we will have a look back at them and ask, when push came to shove, were they able for the job?

It is a sad day, as I said. I am probably a defeatist but tomorrow, more than likely, when I have had a night's sleep, I will gird my loins for the battle that is coming and perhaps I will be more optimistic about our chances of winning this referendum. Quite possibly, we can do it, but not if the Government continues as it has started; not if it continues with this lying campaign, telling people the Seanad costs €50 million, then €20 million, then €10 million - maybe tomorrow it will be €25 million; not if it continues putting people on our screens like the Fine Gael deputy director of elections, who is two and a half years up here and knows nothing about the Seanad, according to her own admission, but who will still dump down on 75 years of tradition, achievement and contribution; and not if the Taoiseach continues to steamroll his party and the nation, as he has done.

He is proving quite a dangerous man to democracy. However, I believe people can pull together. I am optimistic. It is all about the people, and they will see through this.

I am a student of history and have quoted from it at times. The last Parliament to be suppressed in this country was Grattan's, in 1800. At the time, the Gaelic poets and scholars famously said that the parliament was defeated by mealadh, breabadh agus bagairt - persuasion, bribery and threats. I have no doubt that bribery is not a factor in the decision of any person here, and would not suggest so for a second. Persuasion and threats, yes. We have seen a very threatening Government which causes real concern for me and for the body politic. Let us move on and try to win this issue.