Senators ‘look like dossers’ sitting only two days a week, says Sinn Féin senator

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

‘Have people in Fine Gael, Senator Cummins’s party, not heard of floods, emigration, poverty, child welfare, youth unemployment, workers’ rights, homelessness, housing lists, people on hospital trolleys?’

THE SEANAD sitting for only two days this week has been roundly criticised by Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane as “an absolute disgrace and gives the impression the Seanad is full of dossers who show up now and then”.

The Waterford senator challenged his colleagues in the Seanad:

“This is outrageous. I know of no other job where people can show up for work for two days and still receive their full pay.”

Seanad Cathaoirleach Maurice Cummins told senators they may sit for only two days next week as well because there was a lack of legislation or motions. It is also difficult for him to get ministers in his own party, Fine Gael, and Labour to come into the Seanad and answer questions because they are ‘too busy’, he said.

This a “lame excuse”, Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane retorted. The referendum vote to keep the Seanad “was not an endorsement for business as usual”, he said. 

“The onus is now firmly on the shoulders of Fine Gael and Labour to reform the Seanad and make it fit for purpose in a modern democracy. 

“Three months on, the failure of the Government to begin such reforms is an insult to the democratic process and to the wishes of the people.

“It is not good enough for Maurice Cummins to say the Seanad has nothing to discuss. Have people in Fine Gael, Senator Cummins’s party, not heard of floods, emigration, poverty, child welfare, youth unemployment, workers’ rights, homelessness, housing lists, people on hospital trolleys?”