I join Senators Sean D. Barrett and David Norris in welcoming the appointment of the first female bishop of the Anglican Church and look forward to it being the start of many more appointments of women in many other churches, including the one to which I belong.

It is no surprise to me that the Taoiseach has refused to debate with the leader of my party. It is very difficult to defend lies and that is exactly what he would be defending. We all know -----

That is unparliamentary language.

I am sorry, but it is hard to defend the fact that the Taoiseach leads a party that is putting untruthful slogans on posters the length and breadth of the Twenty-six Counties in an attempt to link this House with saving money. It is a disgrace. It has been proved that the amount of money that it is alleged would be being saved is incorrect. The amount would be less than one quarter of the figure on the aforementioned posters. The Taoiseach has also said that with fewer politicians we would have a better democracy, but that is the same as saying that with fewer teachers we would have better schools or that with fewer doctors and nurses we would have better hospitals. What nonsense. In 1916 people fought for the freedom of this country. In 1937 they voted for a Constitution that included this House. I suggest the people in question were far better republicans than the Taoiseach, any member of his Government or any member of this House. This House is needed as one of the three pillars of the Oireachtas and should be maintained. It is a disgrace that the leader of the country is telling and promoting untruths

What would people like Kevin O'Higgins think?

The Taoiseach is forcing his colleagues in the Lower House to do the same, which is a disgrace.

Does the Senator have a question for the leader?