Urgent political reform debate
Senator Bradford says the McNulty affair bears the hallmarks of stroke politics and asks the Leader to facilitate an urgent debate on political reform and more credible political practices.
Senator Mooney's contribution has teed me up. I appreciate why it is difficult for the Members on the Government side to listen to lectures from Fianna Fáil about stroke politics, notwithstanding the defence put forward by Senator Mooney. We all know the historical facts. Notwithstanding the history of Fianna Fáil, it is also very difficult to say that there is not some element or degree or sniff of stroke politics about this entire unpleasant episode. As Members of Seanad Éireann we defended this House strongly and valiantly 12 months ago, and we must be concerned about actions that are not of our making which impugn the authority and reputation of Seanad Éireann. Apparently, one of the defences being put forward by some members of the Government parties at their respective parliamentary party meetings last night was that Fianna Fáil, if in the same position, would have done the very same. That may well be the case-----
Comment on this
The lesson is that we must all concede that a new way of doing political business is urgently required. The citizens of this country are absolutely appalled at Tweedledum morphing into Tweedledee and business as usual. We urgently need a debate on political reform, and the Government has produced a document in that regard. In the interests of the people of the country I ask the Leader to try to facilitate an urgent debate on political reform so that we can move away from this trick-of-the-loop type of politics which serves nobody and by which everybody loses. The Members of this House of the Oireachtas have a duty to stand up for democracy in every possible respect. We must offer leadership and ensure that the highest standards apply. I ask the Leader to facilitate that debate. I know he has the same view of the need for fair and transparent politics, as do I and every Member of this House. This unnecessary, unpleasant situation - I will not call it a crisis - has not been caused by any Member of this House. We are the victims, in a sense, of someone else's game.