I am shocked to hear about the press release from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton. Did he read the press release before it was issued? It is like propaganda from Hitler.

Goebbels.

Sixty people have put their heart and soul into participating over the last two and a half years in this Chamber. How dare the Minister, and the deputy director of elections, Deputy Regina Doherty, criticise us as ineffective? How dare they do that to us?

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I have a question for the Leader. I demand that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, come in here and tell the truth - that this Seanad does not cost €20 million a year. If Members of the Opposition had any guts we would all work together to contradict this propaganda.

The Senator is the Opposition.

According to the Secretary General of the Oireachtas commission, the figure is less than €10 million. I do not have the precise figure.

I have it.

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, has a huge responsibility not to tell lies to the Irish people about the costs. In the press release, Deputy Doherty stated:

At a time when families are making considerable sacrifices, I believe it is only right that the political system does the same. The Seanad is shockingly undemocratic; in fact, just 1% of the population voted to elect the current Seanad, and it doesn’t do anything that isn’t already done in the Dáil.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I have a question for the Leader. These people are ignorant about how we get elected to Seanad Éireann.

I ask the Senator to withdraw that remark.

What are you asking me to withdraw?

The remark that people are ignorant.

What did I say? I want to know exactly what the Cathaoirleach is asking me to withdraw. They are ignorant concerning their information on this Seanad. It does not cost €20 million a year. That young Deputy has only been there for two years. How dare she call us ineffective?

I strongly concur with the sentiments expressed by Senator Mulcahy. I had not seen the press release before I came in. However, it is wrong to bandy about populist remarks like this, saying they will give the money to aid disability. We have all seen how the disability sector has suffered over the years - not just over the last two years, but also going back to 2008. We have seen disability cuts. It is absolutely abominable that anybody would come out with such comments about giving the money to those with disabilities, when we all know that is not going to happen.

The Senator should vote her outrage.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Yes, I do. The press release came out with populist statements such as "At a time when families are making considerable sacrifices, I believe it is only right that the political system does the same". If it is only right, I ask Deputies to take a reduction in their salaries to reflect that of Senators, and perhaps give up the many allowances they have.

Going back to the issue of disability, it is appalling that people would make such statements.

I call on the Leader to look at an aspect of the assisted decision-making (capacity) Bill which was promised two years ago. Where is it? I understand from the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, that it is at an advanced stage. We need an answer. Many people have come to me in the last six months who do not have accommodation and who are worried about where their loved ones with disabilities will be. Institutions and places are being closed to move people to the community but there are not enough staff out there to provide a service for them. There are plenty of ways in which we can do right by people with disabilities. I abhor that anyone would use the most vulnerable people in society as a basis to entice people to vote to abolish the Seanad.