John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----because he wanted to make a political point and, with respect, to introduce a little cronyism. Instead, while there is a need to end Tammany Hall, there is no need to replace it with the Politburo.

There also has been a substantial rewriting of history. I will not use the analogy I used previously, but the Taoiseach, in his inaugural speech for a Seanad abolition campaign, stated that the Seanad was somehow - I am still trying to work this one out - at fault for inflating the Celtic tiger. That is a little like God blaming Met Éireann for the great flood. The reality is that the Taoiseach, who was then leader of the Opposition and was sitting in Leinster House, did exactly nothing to deflate the bubble. I am not saying he was primarily responsible. We all bought into the madness and exuberance of crowds at the time. However, he did not have any particular unique insight or wisdom. One certainly cannot quote any particular argument-----