Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Did either of the Ministers examine the composition of the Seanad Committee of Selection? Did they acknowledge the fact that six of the 11 members of the Committee of Selection are non-government Members? Do they understand basic arithmetic? I hope we can move on from this issue, but it might be necessary, as has been requested, for clarification to be given in the House. We are advised that the big step forward now is the so-called removal of the whip for committee members by one or two of the political parties. It is extremely ironic that when the Taoiseach and some of his Cabinet colleagues have a political difficulty, they believe the whip should be removed. However, 12 months ago in this House and the Dáil, when numerous colleagues had a serious political issue of conscience, the same Cabinet did not believe in the removal of the whip-----