Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

With power comes great responsibility. We all have very privileged positions. We talk about free speech and our responsibility, but for some reason we are talking about the mistreatment of individuals with power, privilege, voice and space on a committee, instead of talking about witnesses who had to leave committee rooms in tears. Who protects them? Where does the Oireachtas protect them and their experiences as laypeople coming in to our Houses, invited in to give us an insight into their very personal and private lives? There is something seriously skewed in this Chamber if we will allow accusations of bullying to be thrown out unchallenged.

Anyone who studies and understands the law knows there is an objective test to meet to understand bullying. It is not a once-off clash between two politicians. It is not someone asserting his or her free speech or opinion. Bullying exists over time. It is an assessment, undermining and bullying of a person on a constant basis and it is very dangerous. People see through the dangerous language being used. I would much prefer to focus on the mistreatment of witnesses who came before our committees in the past few weeks and on how they were goaded and inflammatory language was used to insult them and their families. They were our guests in this House and if anything, they should be the ones with complaints of bullying in this room.