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Teetotal senator angers colleagues who drink A NON-DRINKING
senator has irritated colleagues by suggesting several of them are in
no position to debate alcohol abuse because they like a drink themselves.
Fianna Fáil senator Donie Cassidy told the Seanad: “One cannot
speak the sermon unless one lives by the Gospel.”
But Labour senator Alan Kelly dismissed his suggestion as nonsense.
Mr Cassidy made his comments in response to a call by Fine Gael senator
Frances Fitzgerald for a debate on the need to introduce a national policy
on alcohol.
Mr Cassidy is leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad. Because Fianna
Fáil is the dominant party in the House he effectively decides
which debates go ahead.
Responding to the request he said some senators should stay out of pubs
and exercise instead.
He said: “I look around and see many colleagues who could take up
the proposal on walking made by Senator O’Donovan and stay out of
such establishments as an alternative. A clear head in the morning is
a huge asset to all professions.”
He said he and three other senators had been pioneers for life and when
accused by Fine Gael senator Maurice Cummins of behaving like a missionary
he responded: “Those senators who appear to be talking from both
sides of their mouths should lead by example and I call on them today
to so do. One cannot preach the sermon without living the Gospel.”
When another Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer questioned to whom Mr Cassidy
was referring he repeated: “One cannot speak the sermon unless one
lives by the Gospel.”
Mr Buttimer responded: “Our Lord drank wine.”
Mr Cassidy agreed to facilitate the debate.
Mr Kelly said Mr Cassidy’s suggestion that only those who abstained
from drink could contribute to a debate on alcohol abuse was almost beyond
ridicule. |
