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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Housing debate dispute

Summary

The Chair repeatedly warns Senator Lawlor not to refer to Dáil business, but he insists he is not discussing the motion and continues attacking Sinn Féin over housing and northern homelessness. The exchange becomes increasingly confrontational, with repeated interventions from the Chair and Senators Devine and Ó Donnghaile, before Lawlor finally repeats his request for the Minister to report on Rebuilding Ireland.

Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

I do not want the Senator to-----

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I am just highlighting some of the positives-----

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

I know that, but-----

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-----and asking the Minister to come to the House to think about-----

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Please, Senator. Generally, I do not mind a Member talking about an issue, but referring to a motion in the other House is inappropriate.

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I have not once referred to the motion.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Is the Senator referring to it directly?

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I have not once referred to it. I am asking that the Minister come to the House-----

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

The Senator might not have mentioned the motion, but unless I am hearing him differently, the Senator is rehashing what is happening in the other House.

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I am not. I am just saying it is clear that what Sinn Féin is doing is a clear tactic-----

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A Chathaoirligh-----

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

I have already ruled on the matter. The Senator must find another way that is-----

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Sinn Féin is constantly being accused of bullying. It will not bully the Minister and it will not bully me either.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Please respect the Chair.

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Sinn Féin is not interested in integration but segregation. It refused-----

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Really; come on. Kick him out.

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It is refusing to allow 900 houses to be developed in south County Dublin.

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Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Please respect the Chair. We are on the Order of Business.

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There are 19,000 people homeless in the North of Ireland, the worst figure in the United Kingdom. Who is in charge there? Sinn Féin is in charge.

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From where did the Senator get those figures?

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No. The Senator's friends in the SDLP-----

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There was a Sinn Féin councillor on radio the other day commenting on the fact that it was not about money but about his local authority. As I said - I will not speak for much longer-----

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I think this is out of order. The Senator has gone on too long.

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I ask the Minister to come to the House to report positive progress on Rebuilding Ireland.

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