ALL SORTS OF things can be raised on the Seanad’s Order of Business.
Unlike the Dáil, senators have the opportunity to raise a variety of issues and matters of the day that might concern them.
Yesterday, Fine Gael senator Cáit Keane was particularly concerned about the “reckless” carry on of the outgoing Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis.
While eurozone finance ministers had grown increasingly weary of the flamboyant left-wing economist’s stance in bailout negotiations, Keane was unhappy about his wife, Danae Stratou, riding on the back of his motorbike without a helmet:
“Obviously, responsibilities come with everything – I imagine everyone will agree,” she said.
One thing I would say to Yanis Varoufakis, looking at his motorbike and his wife on the back of it today, without a helmet, is that it is reckless in the extreme, not alone on economic policy but in respect of his wife’s health as well.
Independent senator David Norris took umbrage at Keane’s remarks, describing them as “twaddle” before expanding on his point to add:
That is utter rubbishy politically-correct twaddle.
Keane insisted that far from “twaddle” this was an important point about a person leading by example in everything he does. She added:
I should be blaming the wife. He should carry a helmet for his wife in his boot.
“What about feminism?” Norris asked.
Watch the full (bizarre) exchange:
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