Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely, also the officers of the court.

I agree with Senator McDowell that it is important to recognise that we are Members of the Upper House and we are democratically elected. Under our Constitution and rules of engagement, Members of the Seanad are required to be available to sit on the joint committees of the Houses. Senator McDowell secured 5,661 votes. I can tell the Deputy who mentioned it that I received 6,419, which is 11.5% of the vote in my constituency in the last election. Many Members here got more than I did.