Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will conclude. Everyone wishes the Government well in its efforts to save money. However, the overly simplistic mantra of "more money, fewer politicians" which we have been hearing is unworthy of our democratic system and does not reflect its needs. During the debate on the proposed abolition of the Seanad, the Taoiseach continually invoked Denmark as a democratic model. The truth is that Denmark is equivalent in size to Ireland but it has a much more vibrant and robust, democratically accountable local authority structure. Where is the invocation of that and similar models now? The answer is that it no longer suits to invoke them as examples.