Calling for a debate on the Flood tribunal revelations, Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) said non-politicians had profited from crime and their activities should be investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau.
The Dublin Castle hearings had demonstrated that there was more than a little rotten in our State and that "we have all been tainted by this. Everybody in the body politic, there's a stench from it at the moment and we all have a difficulty".
The deteriorating reputation of public representatives boded ill for democracy and the Seanad should address that fact, said Mr O'Toole.