Seanad report:Eugene Regan, Fine Gael spokesman on justice, clashed with the Cathaoirleach after saying he wanted to compliment the Taoiseach on his imagination "in thinking up the stories of the dig-out loans".
Mr Regan had earlier inquired about the current status of the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill and how it was planned to progress it. He drew the attention of the House to the significant new evidence emerging at the Mahon tribunal.
Des Richardson and Padraic O'Connor's evidence had been reported in all of the media.
He was surprised that RTÉ had relegated that report in its main bulletins, unlike other television stations. He thought that this followed a pattern by RTÉ in relation to certain dealings concerning fair broadcasting. "It follows on a soft interview last September [12 months] of the Taoiseach which allowed him to get his story across on the three hundred thousand euro. . ."
Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan said that was not relevant to the order of business and asked Senator Regan not to continue with it.
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Trinity member Ivana Bacik said she thought it was dangerous to start talking about Seanad members representing any particular religious ethos. Ms Bacik referred to an editorial in yesterday's issue of The Irish Timeswhich asked if it might be appropriate to attempt to enshrine the Protestant ethos through the three Trinity seats.
"It is certainly news to me that I am representing people of any particular religious ethos," she said. "I am very proud to represent people of all religions and of no religion. I hope all of the Senators here feel the same way."