Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

How does one follow that? I agree with every word of Senator James Heffernan's contribution. I welcome the Minister of State, but I am disappointed that the Taoiseach has not spent more time in the House, apart from a few minutes on Second Stage. He acted like a school bully, throwing a box before running away to leave someone else deal with the ensuing chaos. I was disappointed last Wednesday when he chose to launch a colleague's book instead of attending this House for even half an hour or an hour to listen to comments from both sides on Committee Stage of this important Bill. It is not important for me or colleagues on any side of the House but for the people and the Constitution. Without a doubt, the Bill is tinkering with the Constitution and wrong. Those Senators who vote for the Bill - not me - are voting to get rid of the House. They may delude themselves by claiming that they are voting to lay legislation before the people in a referendum. These are the facts.

The least the Taoiseach could do is spend a little time in the House to listen to our debate, not the spin of those reporting to him. I am referring to the facts, as outlined by colleagues on all sides of the House. As Senator Sean D. Barrett pointed out on Second Stage, it is disappointing that the Taoiseach spent four times more time cycling the Ring of Kerry than he has spent in this House since becoming Taoiseach. That is not acceptable. It is an insult to the House and every Senator.

Arguments have been made by the Government as to why the referendum is going ahead. I welcome Senator Fiach Mac Conghail's comments, in that he has clarified his position on the legislation and his reasons for voting with the Government. However, it is a sad afternoon for those Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators who will be forced to vote for legislation to which they are opposed. Not one Government Senator wants to vote for it, if the truth were told, and it is wrong that they are being forced to do so. A colleague on the Government side has alleged that an attempt was made to bribe him. He needs to clarify the position. I am aware of Government Senators who have been promised certain projects if they stay in line. That is a fact.