Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges review how the Order of Business is conducted in the House? Many of us - I include myself among that number, from time to time - come in for the Order of Business and speak off the top of our heads on matters that do not pertain to Parliament and legislation, leading to ridicule in the media and confusion among the general public, given the standard of some of the debate, as to why it bothered to save the Seanad. That is a fact and it is something with which we must grapple. The Seanad has a very important role to play in our democracy and it is important that we continue to play that role. We are not doing so, however, if Members simply come in and rattle off what they have seen on the front page of some of the tabloid newspapers. It is unacceptable and the Cathaoirleach and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges should take action. We are all guilty of doing it from time to time, if we are completely honest with ourselves.