I was not going to say much about the Seanad referendum because it will be played out in the next couple of weeks. We all know that the argument put forward by the abolitionists is absolutely flawed. It is up to each and every Member of this House to go out in the highways and byways to put that message across to the people because the battle is not going to be won here.

I offer my sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of the former Minister, Michael J. Noonan, from Bruff, County Limerick. My thoughts are with his widow and children, as well as with his many friends and relations, at what is a sad and difficult time for them. It is also a sad time for many people in south and east Limerick, particularly the communities of Bruff, Grange, Meanus and Lough Gur.

Michael J. Noonan was an absolute gentleman. He bore his fight against a long illness with dignity and true grace that was characteristic of the man. Anyone, in either House of the Oireachtas, who came across Michael J. Noonan and knew him during his 30 years in public life, would concur with those sentiments. When I returned from Australia in 2007 to stand in that year's general election, he was one of the first people I called to see.

He offered me plenty of advice and direction, all of which I took on board.

Michael J. Noonan was very much liked right across the political spectrum. Following his 30 years in public life he continued to be a valued community leader in Bruff and contributed to numerous excellent voluntary projects in the town, including voluntary housing. He was very much cognisant of the sacrifices made by previous generations and as secretary of the Seán Wall Commemoration Committee which commemorated ambushes in Grange and Caherguillamore, where many young men and women lost their lives for the cause of Irish freedom, was very cognisant of the fact that their memory should remain alive and be respected. Occasions such as the commemoration of our noble dead can be hijacked by various political interest groups. Michael Noonan opened them up to everybody, regardless of what party or none he or she was a member. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Our thoughts are with his family.

One of our most distinguished former Senators was the late William Butler Yeats. He wrote the famous poem "September 1913", a line or two from which is particularly relevant to the debate on the future or otherwise of this House. In that poem, William Butler Yeats asks:

What need you, being come to sense,But fumble in a greasy tillAnd add the halfpence to the pence.....

In a sense, the poster in regard to the €20 million cost of the Seanad is about adding the half pence to the pence. As stated by Senator Ó Murchú, if the level of political debate has reached such levels of cynicism that all we can talk about is a false figure of €20 million then the future of Irish politics is in a dangerous place.

I wish the Government would come forward with progressive and strong reasons for a "Yes" vote. When the lead argument is not only fictitious but deeply and deliberately false, there is a need for us to reflect upon it with great concern. It is urgent that the Referendum Commission, which is independent and tasked with the job of informing every citizen about the referendum, adjudicates on this figure. I served on a previous Oireachtas Commission. I had faith in the members serving on that commission, which was, up to 18 months ago, able to clarify the cost of the Seanad. It is inexcusable if such figure cannot be produced. The true amount is not €20 million.

It has often be said Members of this House should not lead the campaign for saving the Seanad or otherwise. We all have personal views on that issue. I am glad that the Leader and others have expressed their personal views on it. However, as politicians we are obliged to ensure the electorate is informed and that when it is being deliberately misinformed that misinformation is clarified. I hope there will be urgent dialogue between the referendum commission and whomever necessary to ensure the real cost of the Seanad is presented.

The good news is that if the actual cost of the Seanad is €20 million and if abolishing it will save that amount it would be possible, using the same calculation, to turn around the national budget deficit by reducing the number of Deputies by up to 60. Let the debate be about fact and not fiction. Let the independent Referendum Commission adjudicate on this in the near future so that the people are not voting in a deliberately false vacuum.

I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the family of the late Michael J. Noonan.

I was shocked to learn of Mr. Noonan's sad passing. Like many Members on all sides of this and the other House, I knew him as a decent, honourable man who had great national and family values. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

In response to comments made on the figure being tossed around by the Fine Gael Party on the costs of the Seanad, if I remember correctly, the chairperson of the Referendum Commission last week indicated she was directing people to the Oireachtas website for information on the matter. She referred to the contribution made by the Clerk of the Dáil, Mr. Kieran Coughlan, in respect of the figure on costs. I understand the chairman of the Referendum Commission is aware of the controversy surrounding the figure. It would be helpful if the commission were contacted to ensure the correct figure is placed in the public domain.

What price democracy?