Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Last week the Leader was totally out of bounds in suggesting that I was responsible for the House not sitting. The Leader makes this type of outrageous statement on a daily basis. If he left the job to his most efficient Government Whip, the House would be run a hell of a lot better. The Leader is bringing the House into disrepute with his statements. To suggest he was a having a bloody weekend for Ireland when he was wining and dining and playing golf in Turkey is an insult to the people and to this House. Looking for ten pairs sums up what he thinks of the House and how it should be run. He wants to run it as his own little fiefdom for his own benefit and it will not wash anymore. The public and quite a number of his own party colleagues have seen through his actions. Accusing me as the Fine Gael Whip of being responsible for the Seanad not sitting is outrageous and it is a disgrace coming from the Leader of this House.