Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The lesson is that we must all concede that a new way of doing political business is urgently required. The citizens of this country are absolutely appalled at Tweedledum morphing into Tweedledee and business as usual. We urgently need a debate on political reform, and the Government has produced a document in that regard. In the interests of the people of the country I ask the Leader to try to facilitate an urgent debate on political reform so that we can move away from this trick-of-the-loop type of politics which serves nobody and by which everybody loses. The Members of this House of the Oireachtas have a duty to stand up for democracy in every possible respect. We must offer leadership and ensure that the highest standards apply. I ask the Leader to facilitate that debate. I know he has the same view of the need for fair and transparent politics, as do I and every Member of this House. This unnecessary, unpleasant situation - I will not call it a crisis - has not been caused by any Member of this House. We are the victims, in a sense, of someone else's game.