Accusations of hypocrisy were made in the Seanad yesterday when tributes were being paid to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. While there was glowing praise on all sides for her work for the poor, two senators criticised the fact that she had been denied the right to address the last Seanad. The sitting of the new Seanad began with the election of the Cathaoirleach, with Fianna Fail's Mr Brian Mullooly, the former leas-cathaoirleach, being elected unopposed.
The Government leader in the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, announced the chief whip would be Mr Tom Fitzgerald (FF), and the assistant whip would be Mr Willie Farrell (FF). In a tribute to the former president, Mrs Mary Robinson, Mr Cassidy said she had represented the Irish people in a most outstanding manner.
Dr Mary Henry (Ind) said Mrs Robinson had made women part of our political process. This fact had been underlined by the choice of four women as presidential candidates. Mrs Robinson had enfranchised the 50 per cent of the electorate who were women.
Mr John Dardis (PD) said Mrs Robinson had lit a candle, not just the one for emigrants, and in doing so, she had cursed the darkness. Mr Joe Costello (Lab) said Mrs Robinson had brought a message of peace to many parts of Ireland, North and South, and to Britain.
While praising Mrs Robinson and Princess Diana, Mr Des Hanafin said no one in the world was on the same level as Mother Teresa. He regretted very much that she had been refused an opportunity to speak in the House. Mr Shane Ross (Ind) said it came a little bit ill from those who refused her, for reasons that were never explained, to be now paying her such glowing tributes. Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) said he was not aware that there had been any hypocrisy. The House, on a prior occasion, had taken a democratic decision.