I note the Minister for Health is not available today. We need a debate on men's health in light of the report that men are more likely to die of cancer than women. This might be a surprise to many people.

It brings me no pleasure to call for a debate on the conduct of the Taoiseach in recent weeks. My comments refer to all those who serve in this House, particularly those who served in the previous Senate, such as the Leader, who is the best Leader I have seen in my 11 years here, the Cathaoirleach, Senator Bradford, Senator Healy Eames, Senator Norris - the father of the House - and others who have been here for more than ten years. It is objectionable in the extreme to hear somebody who has as much to do with the lack of reform in this House through the generations as anybody else accuse the Seanad of doing nothing to stop the excesses of the Celtic tiger era. Even as a Fianna Fáil person, we in the north west, and Connaught in particular, were never so proud to have a Taoiseach from our part of the country. Since then, however, his contribution has effectively set Knock airport on the path to destruction. We see him clowning around Europe, acting like a clown it has to be said, and turning the Government and the office of Taoiseach into a circus ring.

I object.

Have you a question for the Leader?

I asked for a debate on the Taoiseach-----

I object to that kind of language in regard to the Taoiseach.

-----acting like a clown.

Have you a question for the Leader?

He is not acting like a clown. How dare you?

Senator MacSharry, without interruption.

He is acting like a clown. When somebody looks like a clown, talks like a clown-----

If the Senator has to use-----

-----performs like a clown and insists on turning the Government into a circus ring-----

That is a bit rich coming from a member of Fianna Fáil.

It is a bit rich that the man who now leads the party, looking back at the manifestos of 2002 and 2007-----

Senator MacSharry.

On a point of order-----

He nominated you as a Senator and when you are here as long as me, you will not make sense of the fact that Fine Gael demanded-----

Senator MacSharry.

-----in 2002 and 2007 and that is what drove this economy into the ground and the Government of that day.

Senator MacSharry, respect the Chair.

Yes.

I ask the Senator to resume his seat.

I am not quite finished. It is important-----

You are way over time.

I think it is important to state that, out of respect for this House, you are a close confidante of the Taoiseach that he would acknowledge the contribution that you made during your time here, and that of the Leader, or else, frankly, ye should bloody well resign because he is undermining the contribution you and the Leader have made over the years.

How dare he clown around Europe accepting the accolade due to the late Brian Lenihan for putting this country back on the road to recovery.

Oh my God.

Senator MacSharry should resume his seat.

He then stated on radio and television and in Europe that the Seanad was the cause of the economic crisis. Hello? Does anyone in the Taoiseach's office have a brain? At least Senator Whelan stood up to be counted on Sunday last on radio. Some others on that side of the House need to do likewise. I refer, in particular, to the Cathaoirleach, who is the closest confidante of the Taoiseach.

I ask the Senator to resume his seat.

You have allowed the Taoiseach to urinate on this House and its Members over the years.

Senator MacSharry must resume his seat.

The Senator is totally out of order.

Senator MacSharry is completely out of order.

I am completely in order and you, and the Leader, should be showing leadership in this House and standing up for the contribution the House has made over the years.

Senator MacSharry has shown no respect to the House.

The Taoiseach of the day has shown no respect to you, Sir, as a member of the Council of State.

Senator MacSharry is completely out of order. I call Senator Moloney.

I apologise to the Cathaoirleach for the way in which our colleague has treated him with disrespect. The Senator refers to having respect-----

How dare Senator Moloney apologise on behalf of anybody.

Senator MacSharry should not-----

The Senator should never apologise on my behalf.

Senator MacSharry should resume his seat.

Senator MacSharry should show some respect. He refers to people showing respect. He should show respect to the Chair.

The Taoiseach and the leader of the Senator's party have urinated all over this House. How dare they. If those opposite were worth their salt, they would bloody well----

Senator MacSharry should resume his seat.

At least Senator Whelan and a couple of others over there are prepared to stand up for the House.

The Senator referred to how long he has been a Member of the House. I would have thought that by now he would be aware of the need to show respect to the Chair. Senator MacSharry has not shown respect to the Chair and he should not, therefore, speak about the need to show respect.

Senator Moloney should return to the Order of Business.