Promoting O'Rourke's rag in the Senate

Mary O’Rourke’s memoir Just Mary was published on Friday 19 October 2012.

Seanad Eireann closes on a Friday and doesn’t reopen until the following Tuesday.

So it wasn’t until Tuesday 23 October that O’Rourke’s good friend Senator Leyden got the opportunity to cynically abuse this arm of government to promote her book.

The farce began with a comment from Senator D’Arcy. It is likely that Leyden arranged for D’Arcy to raise the matter so that he could then reply.

Leyden claims he had no intention of raising the matter. This, in my opinion, is probably a lie.

The cynical promotion of O’Rourke’s rag was raised around discussion on such matters as patronage of schools, food labeling and the war in Syria.

I’ve extracted the usual waffle on these matters leaving just the political bullshit surrounding O’Rourke’s book.

Senator D’Arcy: I read a review by Geraldine Kennedy of Mary O’Rourke’s new book and I see a full chapter of the book is devoted to Senator Terry Leyden. I am looking forward to that bedtime reading.

Senator Norris: In the interest of balance, could Senator D’Arcy advertise my book while he is at it? It is far better written. The Senator is not mentioned in it.

Senator Leyden: The Leas-Chathaoirleach should not be too severe with me. I have had bad experiences over the years. They are mentioned in the book.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: The clock is ticking.

Senator Leyden: I thank Senator Jim D’Arcy for his kind words. Mrs. Mary O’Rourke’s autobiography is entitled Just Mary. In the book she mentioned the Seanad and the esteemed Clerk and Clerk Assistant, noting their professionalism, which is much recognised.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: It is not appropriate for us to discuss Mary O’Rourke’s book.

Senator Leyden: It has been mentioned. The Leas-Chathaoirleach allowed Senator D’Arcy….The section in question is devoted to Charles J. Haughey. It refers to a Christmas visit to Abbeville.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: If Senators wish to do so, they can read the book. It is not appropriate to discuss it now.

Senator Leyden: Is the Leas-Chathaoirleach recommending it?

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: The Senator has 20 seconds left. Has he any matter to raise besides these frivolities?

Senator Leyden: I had no intention of raising that matter at all.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach: The Senator has wasted one minute and 15 seconds.

Senator Leyden: The day is long.

The (political) day is indeed long.

And all those good Irish citizens who voted for the retention of this dysfunctional institution should hang their heads in shame for inflicting these political dinosaurs on the rest of us for many years to come.