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——
Business of Seanad
Senator, that is not a point of order.
——informed of it. It is an outrage. The Leader of the House said earlier that he was fairly ignorant of what was going on.
Senator, that is not a point of order.
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.
Senator——
I intend to come in here and sit here for as long as I possibly can.
I would like to support Senator Norris.
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.
That is not a point of order. Please, Senator.
This is the one time——
Senator, resume your seat.
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.
Shame on Senator Bacik and shame on Senator Cummins——
Senator Norris——
——who muzzled their own people——
(Interruptions).
——and would not allow them to speak. They are allowing strangers to speak here but their own people are not allowed to speak.
Senator Norris, please resume your seat.
They better learn a few things about democracy before they preach in this House about it.
Senator Norris, resume your seat and respect the Chair. You are out of order.
On a point of order——
This House is out of order.
I have explained the position.
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.
Hear, hear.
Senator, resume your seat.
With respect, every Senator should come in here on Monday and resume their seats.
You are out of order.
All of us should come in here on Monday.
Who are they? Who are the invited Senators?