Nessa Cosgrove (Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the day that is in it, I wish I did not have to read this but it is the elephant in the room that is preventing us here in the Seanad from fully doing the job we are elected and paid to do. The notion that TDs who negotiated the programme for Government are in opposition and should be allowed speaking time from the Opposition benches is farcical and flies in the face of democracy. It does not just affect the Dáil but it also affects us in the Seanad Chamber. Since I was elected to the Seanad as a first-time Senator at the end of January, we have all been here waiting to form part of committees, which are vital for the role for which we are elected and paid to do. There are committees on public spending, climate, disability, housing, drug use, infrastructure and young people. We are all just waiting and we cannot just ignore it. It is an insult to us and an insult to the people who voted for us.

On 3 February, the Ceann Comhairle ruled that Government backbenchers cannot pretend to be members of the Opposition in a cynical attempt to avail of Opposition speaking rights. Homeless figures are rising, parents of children with special needs are forced to protest and sleep out overnight outside the gates of Leinster House, and the genocidal horror of Gaza is unfolding in front of our eyes while the Taoiseach continues to have this farcical display in the Lower House and continues on with this masquerade. I ask the Government-supporting Senators to please use whatever influence they have and talk some sense into the Taoiseach and the Government Chief Whip so that we can all get on with the jobs that we are paid to do.