Fine Gael members took protest action during the session by sporadically interrupting business to call for a quorum, which requires the presence of a minimum of 12 Government members. The action was taken to protest against the lack of office facilities for senators.
The first to highlight the issue was the Leas-Cathaoirleach, Mr Liam Cosgrave, who described himself as a reasonably accommodating type and not prone to aggressiveness. But, he said, speaking as a senior officer of the House, since September 18th last he had had to endure office accommodation in the College of Art with "one-third of a secretary" in another part of the extended Leinster House complex. The treatment of senators was grossly unfair given how he understood TDs were being treated, with certain deputies only having to lift a phone to have the Chief Whip running to them.
Supporting her party colleague, Ms Avril Doyle said she believed very strongly if members of the Upper House did not uphold the dignity and the seriousness of the role they were expected to play, they could not expect others to do so. Her secretary had to serve three other senators and there were four phones ringing all day. Their communal Fax machine was just five feet away from her desk.
The chaos of the system would not be tolerated in the play spaces of the youngest children of members.
The House leader, Mr Donie Cassidy, agreed to a detailed discussion of the matter today.