David Norris (Independent)
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On a point of order, I would like to know why Members of this House are deprived of information on a regular basis. It is outrageous that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges should make decisions of such wide-reaching consequence and Members are not-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, that is not a point of order.

David Norris (Independent)
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-----informed of it. It is an outrage. The Leader of the House said earlier that he was fairly ignorant of what was going on.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, that is not a point of order.

David Norris (Independent)
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I want to let you know something, a Chathaoirligh. This is a seat that I won by hard work, and I am not having any cuckoos in the nest.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator-----

David Norris (Independent)
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I intend to come in here and sit here for as long as I possibly can.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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I would like to support Senator Norris.

David Norris (Independent)
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For all the posturing that is going on, this is the one session in this Chamber which is called, for the information of the Government, Seanad Éireann, and it is part of the democracy in this country.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is not a point of order. Please, Senator.

David Norris (Independent)
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This is the one time-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, resume your seat.

David Norris (Independent)
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I will resume my seat. It is my seat, and I am glad the Cathaoirleach acknowledged it. I do not want any cuckoos in it, and I do not want any arranged stagings that will be covered by the media. Our debates are never covered but as sure as God this one will be covered. Well done to the quislings who want to see this House extinguished, and congratulations to the three brave Senators who voted against their own party instructions.

Senators:

Hear, hear.

David Norris (Independent)
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Shame on Senator Bacik and shame on Senator Cummins-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Norris-----

David Norris (Independent)
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-----who muzzled their own people-----

David Norris (Independent)
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-----and would not allow them to speak. They are allowing strangers to speak here but their own people are not allowed to speak.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Norris, please resume your seat.

David Norris (Independent)
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They better learn a few things about democracy before they preach in this House about it.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Norris, resume your seat and respect the Chair. You are out of order.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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On a point of order-----

David Norris (Independent)
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This House is out of order.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I have explained the position.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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With respect, as a new Senator I find it incongruous and unconscionable that strangers would come in here on Monday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to debate the abolition or the retention of the Seanad when the Labour Party and Fine Gael were not able to do it yesterday.

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, resume your seat.

Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)
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With respect, every Senator should come in here on Monday and resume their seats.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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You are out of order.

David Norris (Independent)
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All of us should come in here on Monday.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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Who are they? Who are the invited Senators?