No cheer for Cassidy’s drink remark

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, who is a pioneer, told the Seanad: “One cannot speak the sermon unless one lives by the Gospel.”

Labour senator Alan Kelly last night dismissed his suggestion as “daft” and “patent nonsense”.

Mr Cassidy made his comments on Wednesday in response to a call by Fine Gael senator Frances Fitzgerald for a debate on the need to introduce “a proper 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.

“I look around and see many colleagues who could take up the proposal on walking made yesterday 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 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”.