Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second what my colleague, Senator Craughwell, had to say. This is the Upper House of the State's Legislature. Some people may not view it as that, but I do. I respect it and am privileged and grateful to be here. I intend to use the House in a civil way. It is not a place for the shouting, catcalling and booing that we heard yesterday. It is a place of argument, discussion, debate, communication and, above all, listening. The behaviour in front of our gentleman Minister, Deputy Coveney, was outrageous. I did not enter the Chamber because I did not want to be seen silently looking on. Using our technology without discretion is an affront to human communication, as is sometimes the case when the Leader is answering questions while the people who asked them are texting on their telephones. The lack of acknowledgement of the Chair on the way in and out is appalling. If one was leaving a kitchen or one's sitting room when visitors or friends were present, one would say, "Excuse me", or give some indication of wanting to leave or enter in the middle of someone's conversation. The casual use of this Chamber as if it was some kind of inn, tavern, well, bus stop or snug at the back of a pub is appalling. Some Senators ask tortured and urgent questions as if their lives depended on them, but they do not even bother to wait for an answer from the Leader, who goes to a great deal of trouble to try to understand what they are saying and to accommodate what they want. That is outrageous.

I do not want to be part of such a House, such a lack of civility, such a lack of standards, bad manners and such a lack of respect. Neither do I want to be part of that visualisation on national and international television. We are the Upper House of this Parliament and we need to show an example. Who will take us seriously if our manners and respect are so lacking? In my history of working in communications, the one thing that got different politics and ideas across was civility.I intend to make this speech every day next week until we understand some standard around here.