I want to be associated with the remarks of our acting leader, Senator Mooney. I second the amendment to the Order Business proposed by Senator Healy Eames. What has happened over the past week in regard to the establishment of the banking inquiry is nothing short of a disgrace. We have seen a character assassination against one of our colleagues and an attempt to dismantle a Senator's character simply because it did not suit to have him on the banking inquiry. There is a saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is exactly what has happened here. When a decision taken democratically by a committee of this House was not acceptable or did not fit, it was dismantled and the rules were thrown out of the window so that new people could be added to provide a Government majority when it comes time to drawing up terms of reference that are suitable to the top bankers in consultation with the Taoiseach. There is a conspiracy theory -----

On a point of order, is Senator Ó Domhnaill suggesting this coalition Government-----

Yes.

-----which did not participate in the collapse of the banking system in this country -----

That is a point of procedure.

-----would set up terms of reference deliberately-----

Yes.

-----to let bankers off the hook?

Yes.

I think we are looking at the wrong side of the House.

On a point of order, I remind the Government side that the Taoiseach said there was an axis of collusion between the bankers and Fianna Fáil. How political was that charge?

The answer to the question from Senator Hayden is "Yes".

Is that not an irony?

This Government allowed the bankers to decide that mortgages holders are not co-operating if they do not respond to banks in the manner demanded.

Let us confuse the issue.

It is an absolute disgrace. The Government is facilitating the bankers by creating a cloud of smoke around this inquiry.

The only people who will benefit are the bankers who will get away.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I do have a question for the Leader. I know he is an excellent Leader of this House. I ask him to bring the Taoiseach and the Government Chief Whip to this House today in order that we can question them.

The Senator is way over time and should resume his seat. I call Senator Bradford.

This House has a democratic right to question both those men for the decisions they have taken.

The Senator is way over time. I call Senator Bradford.

I was the first Senator to propose formally that Senators be appointed to the banking inquiry. I am speaking as a member of the 11 person Committee of Selection. Much has been rewritten over the past week as to what happened last Wednesday night. It is important to put on the record once again that of the 11 members of the Committee of Selection, five represent the Government side of this House and six represent the non-government side. It was not extraordinary, therefore, that the Committee of Selection made the decision it did, but the Government is now attempting to rewrite that result.

When the annals of Oireachtas history are written, if the business proceeds as planned without debate, and I appeal to the Leader, in particular, to reflect on that lack of debate, it will be noted that on Thursday, 12 June 2014, the moral authority of the current Government completely disappeared and Seanad Éireann entered into a place of total disrepute.

This House is made up of members of all parties and none. People stood for election to Seanad Éireann believing in high principles and purpose, but what is happening this morning is deeply disturbing. The Taoiseach made an extraordinary contribution to Dáil Éireann two evenings ago. It is worth reflecting on what he said. It was not a quip in front of a microphone or a so-called doorstep interview. He put on the record of the House that, as far as he was concerned, the inquiry could not go ahead without a Government majority.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

My request to the Leader is that, at a minimum, we would debate these motions before us. I want to note my concern-----

The Senator is out of time. I call Senator O'Sullivan.

Yes, but I just want to note my concern that we are entering a new GUBU period and we should proceed with extreme caution.

I do not normally get involved in argy-bargy across the floor. I have tried to avoid that all my life, even in the county council, and I got away with it. Today is different, however. Today is a very dangerous day for us and for democracy in the country. In the previous Seanad, when I was on the Government benches, my Whips made sure that I voted for a couple of items that I was not too happy about, but I would not vote for this. It is too important. The Taoiseach has now become a bit of a danger himself. He tried to abolish this House and thanks to the courage of our Leader, Senator Maurice Cummins, and others who stood up to him, he did not succeed. Now, however, he is coming in to dump down on the House again by asking us to introduce something that Hitler himself, with the enabling act, would have been ashamed of.

Come on.

Listen to yourselves.

Quite clearly-----

Withdraw that.

Senator O'Sullivan, without interruption.

Quite clearly, the Government has no real interest in a real, meaningful and productive banking inquiry at all.

Rubbish.

The people made their decision on Fianna Fáil in 2011 and we got hammered. We accepted it and got on with the business. The Government is not finished with that business, however. Quite clearly, by seeking to have a built-in majority in this inquiry, it is going to ensure the late Brian Lenihan, Brian Cowen and all they did will be blamed for all the ills of the country. That is what this is about this morning and nothing else.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I have. One could put on ten or 15 more people on that committee, yet Brian Cowen will come before it and will answer the questions.

That is not relevant to the Order of Business.

It will show that the blueprint of Mr. Lenihan is the one that, under Deputy Michael Noonan, has got this country out of the mess.

That is not relevant at all. I call Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

I have not finished yet.

The Senator is out of time.

I never overdo things.

The Senator is out of time and some of his colleagues will not get in.

To conclude, I am appealing to Members opposite, especially the Independent Members, not to stand for this.

I am calling Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

It is going to be the worst day in the history of this Seanad and probably one of the worst days for democracy since the Blueshirts.