I wish to correct the record of the House in regard to the Acting Leader’s comment yesterday. The Electoral Commission claimed a poster I sponsored is factual-----

Sorry, the Senator cannot correct the record of the House on behalf of the Acting Leader. If the Acting Leader made an incorrect comment, the Acting Leader, whomever that was - I was not here - clears up the matter. The Senator may ask the Acting Leader, whomever it was yesterday, to clarify. However, she cannot clarify on the Acting Leader's behalf, whomever the Acting Leader was. The Senator cannot do that, sorry. The Senator can ask that the Acting Leader clarify his or her remarks.

I can ask the Acting Leader to clarify.

If that was the case, then you would have to clarify-----

Sorry, Senator Ahearn. Senator Keogan, without interruption, please. I ask Senator Ahearn to withdraw that remark, please. Senator Keogan is making a contribution on the Order of Business. Senator Ahearn has an opinion and Senator Keogan has an opinion.

But-----

They are both entitled to their opinions but they are not entitled to throw spars across the floor. Senator Keogan, please. I will let the clock run for her.

The Electoral Commission claimed a poster I sponsored is factual misrepresentation of the existing text of the Constitution with regard to the two proposals being voted on on Friday. There is no error in this. I was never contacted by the commission before it released a statement about me. The Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, writing in the Irish Independent yesterday, said that a “Yes” vote means more help for carers. Why has the commission not corrected this blatant falsehood? Time after time, the Supreme Court relied on Article 41.2 in divorce cases. The court rejected in divorce cases, in assessing alimony and maintenance, that a woman is obliged to seek work outside the home out of economic necessity. This article protects women in divorce cases who wish to parent in the home. Removing this protection puts women at risk of being forced to work outside the home. This is the point of my poster and I will hold the Electoral Commission accountable for its bias.

In addition, the commission’s so-called research advisory group further brings into question the bias of the organisation. This group includes senior NGO officials who have a clear agenda in the very referendums and elections that the commission is meant to regulate impartially. This group includes an officer of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, an officer of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and Orla O’Connor of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. How can we trust in the impartiality of the commission when its own advisory board is stacked with individuals who have vested interest in the outcome of these crucial decisions? Clearly, the composition of the Electoral Commission does not inspire confidence in its ability to fill its duties impartially.

It is still possible in Ireland to have an opposition to the Government for now but it might not be for much longer.

With regard to contributions on the Order of Business, I remind all Members of the House of all hues that it is an opportunity for them to come into the House to raise a matter. Please be cognisant that in referencing people, whether members of Government, NGOs, political bodies, political organisations or whomever, they are not here to defend themselves; they are outside of the House. I ask Members to please be careful in their remarks. Equally, regarding the Electoral Commission, it is an impartial independent group separate from any of us in the Oireachtas. I ask Members to be cognisant of that when making allegations about it. That applies to all Members, including myself.

Ar son gach ball den Seanad, cuirim fáilte mhór roimh ghaelscoil as Luimneach, Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh. Bhí rang eile ón scoil anseo cheana. Tá céad míle fáilte roimh na daltaí agus na múinteoirí. Anois ba mhaith liom glaoch ar an Seanadóir Robbie Gallagher.