Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment proposed by Senator O'Donnell for the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to debate the issue of abuse of graduate entrants into medicine. I support her on that motion.

We have all received the ballot papers for the Seanad by-election on 10 October. That by-election will be a test for all of us - a test of democracy in this country. We are seeing Government politics being carried out in a way more like Beijing than a western democracy. We are seeing abuse of public office, no free votes and job fixing. We are seeing the very worst type of politics that none of us stood for in 2011. Above all, this election on 10 October will be a test of the courage and resolve of Fine Gael and Labour Party Members. It is unreasonable for the Taoiseach to expect his Deputies and Senators to follow his lead and support stroke politics by voting for Mr. McNulty. Mr. McNulty is a victim here and his candidacy is corrupted as a result of the abuse of public office by having him put on the IMMA board. It has been well documented and written on today by Fintan O'Toole. He has abused six political operational principles: selflessness, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.