David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That poster is a lie and there is no doubt about that. Senator John Crown, our colleague, flatted the Minister for Transport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on "The Late Debate" last night. Deputy Varadkar was reduced to saying that the Government says the figure is €20 million, the Seanad says €6 million, the Referendum Commission says €8 million and perhaps we should take the difference. That indicates we do not know anything about it, are completely ignorant on the cost and do not know what we are talking about. The important point however is that the Minister had to agree that whatever the figure is, it is not a saving. It is a cost and not a saving. Therefore, the poster is a deliberate lie.

Taxpayers' money is being used to feed them lies. The poster must be withdrawn. I will also write to the Standards in Public Office Commission and the Referendum Commission. I put it to the Leader, as a matter of grave importance to democracy in this country, that this poster which has been demonstrated to be a lie, as admitted to by a Cabinet Minister, should be withdrawn. The Government is using its resources all over the city. We see nothing but poster after poster referring to the abolition of the Seanad and the saving of €20 million. We now know that it is not true and the poster must be taken down.

With regard to the comments of my colleague Senator Sean D. Barrett on the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association, this is an arrogant and spiteful Government. It wanted to have its meeting in the Seanad Chamber on the day of the referendum. I am glad to say I scuppered it and that it will not happen.