Senator Gerard P. Craughwell - speech from 26 Jun 2019

Yes, of course, I want to press the amendment, but I have been placed in the most awkward position today. I have been told now by the Leader, and I accept her word, that the Taoiseach has had a bereavement and cannot come to this House. Yet, three minutes ago, I was out watching the TV, and the Taoiseach was in the Dáil answering questions. Well, he may have been there, sir. No, no, no, no, I am constantly being pushed off on this issue. Senator Crocquill, Senator Crocquill, Senator Crocquill, Senator Crocquill, you either pull the trigger and push the amendment, or you sit down. What am I going to do? Pull the trigger at this stage and find that I don't win, because the two main parties in this House. You can always raise it again next week. And we'll raise it the week after, and the year after, and the week after that. This government has put the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces in the most horrible position. Why are you not pushing the amendment? They have undermined the Chief of Staff's position in this country. The question is that amendment will be made, though it is fair to say it's all. This is just not on. Question defeat. I will call a vote on this. No, no, you had your chance, you didn't do it. No, no, Cair, look, this is not on now. This is really not on. Well, I put the question several times. You are a most decent man, but this is not on. I asked you a question, are you pushing the amendment? I am explaining my position. Don't put in a spiel now, we then suspend the House for an hour. I am explaining my position. Don't put in a spiel now, Cair. I have been very talented. Are you pushing the amendment or not? Will you please let me explain my position? No, no, no explanation. The question has been put. This is grossly unfair. I will disallow it and move on. This is grossly unfair. The question is defeated. Move on. Next item. So it is. No, no, I mean it's damned unfair. Your government has put the Chief of Staff in the most horrible position. You have undermined him. What do you hope to gain? What I hope to gain is I hope to get their esteem back. Please, Senator, remove your seats. Senator Marie-Louise Zidane has moved an amendment to the Art of Business that item 15 be taken before item 1. The Leader has indicated that she is prepared to accept this amendment. and he has a priority visit to the Art of Business. However, no one has been elected to the Art of Business. He is in the Bronx. I will go to the Art of Business. Or we will stay in the Bronx. At the Lawn Bridge at the Mobile. Dr Sidel of Business is very much ahead. It's absolutely consistent with the Art of Business. It's obvious that the doesn't make sense of motion. It's actually a kind ofício in the finance sector. That's a good idea. It's almost impossible to lose. I'm just joking, I'm not joking.