Public debate in 'smokefilled rooms' unhelpful

I believe that debating issues of public interest behind closed doors is 'unhelpful and unwanted'; my comment was in reaction to reports that the debate on ABA education for autistic children was due to be discussed at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party. This was despite the fact that the subject was due to be examined in the Seanad tomorrow.

I have been told by my colleagues opposite on more than one occasion, for example, in the matter of the child care subvention scheme, not to waste my breath in the House as the issue would be solved by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.

To much disapproval from Fianna Fáil Senators, I said that I was disappointed that such important matters were undermining the importance of the Seanad and the Dáil:

"I respectfully say to the House that it is wrong that public debate is shifting. This is the position we have come to in these Houses. The Government abrogates the role and functions of these Houses and transfers them behind closed doors to smokefilled rooms where people clap each other on the back because they, and not the Members of these Houses, have the power."

In reply to my concerns, the Leader of the Seanad Senator Donie Cassidy told the house that this was "not a new dimension" and that the Parliamentary Party has been, and always will be a forum to plan the way forward for the country.