Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I listened with great interest to Senator Bradford's contribution and I disagree with little of what he said. However, while I have chaired the Committee of Selection, there have been 17 decisions, culminating in last night's decision, which have been put to the House. During my term, last night's meeting was the first at which a democratic voting process took place as set out in the normal circumstances. Will the Leader reflect on the implications of usurping the decision of the committee for Standing Orders? In addition, in the context of precedent, there was only one time in the past 60 years when a decision of the committee was challenged in the House and the outcome was the House upheld the decision following a division. As the committee chairman, I have to be careful not to impose my view and I must be fair and impartial. I ask the Leader and the Government to seriously reflect on any effort to revisit the issue, which, as chairman, I would be slow to do. Any other political attempt to usurp the democratic decision of the committee would want to be carefully thought out.

I wish Senator Norris well. He has been out sick and he attended the committee meeting. He came in with one mission in mind, which was to support his TCD colleague, Senator Barrett. That demonstrates his commitment to the task. Whatever about his physical and medical difficulties, there is nothing wrong with his brain. He is still acute and sharp and his comments did not do Senator Barrett harm when he was unanimously accepted as one of the two nominees.

With that in mind, I hope the issue can be resolved fairly and properly. Senator Maurice Cummins is very fair and a good Leader of the Seanad. I hope he can forget his role on behalf of the Government and do the right thing on behalf of the House.