I also wish to be associated with the welcomes to Senator Hildegarde Naughton. While I hope she will be the last of the Taoiseach's appointees to the Seanad, I hope she will not be the last new Senator and that there will be a future with a more democratically elected Seanad. It is no reflection on Senator Naughton's abilities nor does it lessen my welcome to her that her appointment inevitably will be perceived as an act of political vindictiveness on the part of the Taoiseach and more particularly, will be perceived as misusing the Seanad to pursue-----

Point of order.

-----the internal politics of Fine Gael.

Senator, that was uncalled for.

He is absolutely right.

Senator Mullen, have you a question for the Leader?

On a point of order-----

Does Senator Mullen have a question for the Leader on today's Order of Business?

Yes, I ask the Leader-----

-----if one wants an example of vindictiveness, Members are listening to it.

Senator Mullen, it is the Taoiseach's prerogative to nominate people to this Chamber.

Does the Leader agree with me-----

It is one he has denounced in public and he is now showing himself to be a complete hypocrite-----

Senator Norris, resume your seat. You have spoken already.

-----as I am sure the Cathaoirleach will agree.

Senator Mullen, have you a question for the Leader?

Yes. Does the Leader agree with me that despite Senator Naughton's excellent qualities and the welcome to which she undoubtedly is entitled, her appointment is intended as a slap to two serving Members of the Oireachtas-----

On a point of order, Members are now listening-----

-----who have shown-----

Senator O'Donnell, on a point of order.

Members now are listening to Senator Rónán Mullen's idea of where facts begin and end.

Senator, on your point of order.

I do not want to listen to him.

Senator, what is your point of order?

Is the Senator suffering from a speech defect?

That was the point of order. I am not going to be subject to-----

Resume your seat please. Senator Mullen.

-----how he describes facts.

Senator Mullen, a question for the Leader please, on today's Order of Business.

Thank you. I wish to complete my question and ask the Leader whether, despite Senator Naughton's undoubted merits and the welcome to which she undoubtedly is entitled-----

Hear, hear.

-----her appointment will be perceived as an act of vindictiveness towards two serving Members of the Oireachtas-----

What has that to do with the Order of Business?

-----from west Galway who, in recent weeks, have shown more courage and integrity than the entire Cabinet put together.