Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Once again the Government has brought the reputation of the Seanad into disrepute in the context of the appalling way in which it has dealt with the by-election relating to the seat formerly held by Ms Deirdre Clune, MEP. In the first instance, it was obliged to introduce amending legislation in order to allow the by-election to take place. Now, in an effort to impose its own candidate, it appears the Government has appointed someone to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA, with the sole purpose of qualifying that person for election to this House via the cultural and educational panel. It is time this House said "Stop" to the Government. A referendum was held one year ago and at that time the public clamoured for reform. My party's leader in the House has informed me that since the referendum - and despite promises to the contrary - there has been one meeting with the Taoiseach in respect of reforming the Seanad. The leaders of the other groups may agree with this assertion.

I have no difficulty with the Clerk of the Seanad, who always does her job in accordance with the law. However, I have a severe difficulty with a Minister making an appointment to a board if the sole purpose of doing so is to qualify a candidate for election to this House from the cultural and educational panel. The latter would be an outrageous breach of the ministerial code of conduct and I am sure the Standards in Public Office Commission will be interested in examining the circumstances involved. It would be fair to give the Minister involved an opportunity to come before the House to outline the position.