Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. Speaking in County Sligo on the day after losing the referendum, the Taoiseach said "We know now that like the all-Ireland final, it is not going to be replayed so we have to deal with the question of how you make a Seanad effective." I have my all-Ireland ticket from that fixture. Our side won. Normally it is the winning team whose captain gets to make the speech but the Taoiseach is trying to introduce a scheme whereby the captain of the losing side gets to make a speech. This is ironic given that he would not debate the issue before the Senate referendum.