O’Donovan monologue stalls bill

A DISGRUNTLED Fianna Fáil senator hijacked Seanad business yesterday with a four-hour monologue to block legislation affecting his home town.

Bantry-based Senator Denis O’Donovan renewed the talking tactic to stymie his party’s efforts to pass the proposed Harbours’ Bill.

He wants the Government to delete a clause which could compromise the independence of Bantry Harbour. And as long as he talks the Seanad cannot vote.

“Most senators will only speak for eight or 10 minutes, and it is difficult to stand up and speak for 20 minutes, let alone for four hours. I found [yesterday] tiring. I suppose growing up in the area I know every inch of the Bantry Bay, so I have plenty to draw on, in the end I have to fight my corner,” he said.

Yesterday, he could break from his speech, to the near empty chamber, for either a coffee or toilet break.

Mr O’Donovan is blocking the bill because it would enable any future marine minister to order Bantry harbour to fall under the Port of Cork.

He said in such circumstances Bantry would never receive proper investment.

So far he has spent 12 hours talking to motions. He only reached the first of his 11 amendments yesterday.

Paschal Donohoe, the Fine Gael senator charged with responding, complained on his blog last night the tactic was “killing me slowly”.

“He has been on his feet for hours. In the last hour he has referred to biblical tales, the detailed accounts of a number of ports, and he has put onto the record the content of many reports on harbours. This could take months... but I am going to support this process,” he said.

Mr O’Donovan vowed to continue as long.

His latest attempt to stymie the Bill came after Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan wrote to senators asking them to improve their behaviour. He attached rules on decorum.

The memorandum said there were to be no interruptions, no reading newspapers, no chatting, no mobile phones and no ambling across the room.