Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach chose to do so. This is the man who is showing a dictatorial attitude to politics and people’s opinions where they count.

By ensuring more power for the Executive, we will turn Ireland into the most undemocratic country in the world. We have the weakest form of local government anywhere in the world. That is being ripped apart as well with the abolition of town councils. We are going down a very dangerous road.

The cost issue was raised earlier. Last weekend, in an excellent newspaper article, former Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, touched on the cost issue. The director and deputy director of Fine Gael’s referendum campaign referred to the Seanad costing €20 million a year. They were way off the mark. Seanadóirí salaries come to €4.5 million. With levies, the universal social charge and taxes, that figure is reduced by €1.6 million, meaning salaries come to under €3 million. Why will the Government not look at reducing Dáil numbers? We are spending €15 million this year to fund the European space programme. Will the Minister explain to me what the programme is about?