A few days ago, while a Senator was rightly berating the Government, probably on the grounds of its talent, ability, professionalism and resilience, he went on to call Deputy Lowry "a criminal". The Cathaoirleach was not here. It is important.

I am the Cathaoirleach and I am in charge. I read all about it and was briefed on it. I would be much happier if the Senator did not bring it up. What she is doing is amplifying the problem.

I certainly am.

The Senator should be very careful what she says.

I will be very careful with what I say because I have already-----

If the Senator continues talking about it, I will prevent her because I do not want this topic highlighted again today and if a Member wants to speak about Deputy Lowry, the plinth is the place to do it, where the protection of this House is not available. He is not a Member of this House and cannot defend himself here.

It is not a good thing for Members of this Seanad to stand up and call anybody "fascists" or "criminals," regardless of who they are or what their job is. It is bad enough that we come into the Seanad and that nobody is listening to us because Members are on their phones, or writing home or whatever, but I do not want to be part of a Seanad where language such as that is used. If people have a legitimate reason to undermine, or argue against, somebody in a position of power or representation, that is fine. They should argue against their policies, what they do and what they do not do. If one was to use that language outside, he or she would be in court for slander and libel. I am not an apologist for anybody in the Lower House or the Upper House, but we have to curb our language, argue our cases well and not spend our lives as if we were in schoolyards throwing objects at one another. That is my objective opinion on the issue.