I wish my good friend and colleague, Jimmy Harte, all the best on his retirement. It is a sad day for Leinster House when we lose somebody of his calibre. Jimmy is a gentleman and one of the most decent people I have met. His contribution to Seanad Éireann has been exemplary, as was his dedication to public service. He seldom stood up without first thinking how his contribution would further the public good and that was obvious from all his contributions in the Seanad. His insight, wit and general good form were a tonic to us all. His contribution continues a long tradition in his family of political service. His father, Paddy, was a man of his time and exhibited the same attributes as Jimmy, such as courage in the face of what were sometimes unpopular political positions. I wish his wife, Mary, and his family, Amy, Lochlainn and Michael, and little Saidbh who is probably watching us on the television today, the very best. We hope Jimmy's recovery continues and that he will be back to the top of his health in no time at all.

I also wish Senator Jimmy Harte the very best. He was an outstanding Senator who had one quality which some of us, myself included, lacked, namely, fearlessness. He was the one Senator who, when I first came here with him, was able to stand up to Sinn Féin and never let them away with a thing. I admired him for this. He never let it away with anything because he had experienced it on the borders of Donegal all his life. I wish him the very best. He will be sadly missed.

I must also point out to Fianna Fáil that Standing Order 56 states the Minister of State and the Attorney General may attend and be heard in the Seanad.

To what is the Senator referring?

The clue is in the verb "may". The inference from Standing Orders is that if the Attorney General decides that she or the Minister of State would not like to come-----

Is the Senator the Cathaoirleach?

-----and not be hauled over the coals by a failing, degrading and good-God-give-me-an-issue Fianna Fáil-----

What is the Senator talking about? I read it. That is pathetic.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell to continue, without interruption.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has tried to couch this motion in a benign way as the letter of the law but it is certainly not in the spirit of the law. It is couched in malice aforethought with no-----

I am glad that after four years the Senator has started to read Standing Orders.

Might I point out to Fianna Fáil-----

The Senator does not seem to know how the House works.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell to continue, without interruption please.

Might I point out to Fianna Fáil that the answer is in the word "may" and the Senator understands the English language and the inference of it?

We are so lucky to have the Senator here.

The Attorney General is not here to answer the Senator's partisan and political needs and make him feel relevant, nor is it to answer his need to seek attention now that he is on his way to an election.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

The Taoiseach may have been right-----

Is the Senator going to keep referring to me or is she going to ask a question?

Does Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell have a question for the Leader?

I am fearless in the face of Fianna Fail. The Taoiseach may have been right in relation to the abolition of the Seanad if this kind of aforethought malice intent carries on.

What is the Senator talking about?

We are here to bring about a real democracy, real change, good reason-----

The Seanad was kept despite the Senator.

It seems that it is a case of "Look at me"-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Yes. Fianna Fáil's motion is, "Look at me, I am dancing." I suggest-----

It is not-----

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell to continue, without interruption.

It is an amendment to the Order of Business, not a motion.

That is exactly my reason.

It is not about-----

It shows what happens when-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

They just shout like little boys. It is a case of "Look at me, I am dancing." I suggest the Senator find his own mirror and dance in front of it.

The Senator is way over time.

Senator Darragh O'Brien should have done what Senator Katherine Zappone had said and spoken about homelessness and about the banks which are represented at the ploughing championship and using words like "brave" when they are eating into people's lives, putting up interest points and actually giving a percentage of people's mortgages to spend as they will. Fianna Fáil should find its priorities and dance to its own tune.

The Senator should be in the Abbey Theatre as a great actress.

The Senator can be at the side but behind the curtain.

I would not be behind the Senator's curtain.