Seanad report: Gay Byrne, the recently-appointed chairman of the Road Safety Authority, had displayed arrogance beyond belief in making a statement which was dismissive of politicians, Ulick Burke (Fine Gael) claimed.
Calling for an apology from Mr Byrne, Mr Burke said on national television last Friday Mr Byrne had spoken of a raft of road safety legislation having to be introduced before the summer recess and had expressed the hope that "the other crowd would not make political football out of it".
For the success of his chairmanship Mr Byrne should withdraw that statement and apologise to public representatives in both houses.
Describing Mr Byrne's appointment as a ministerial "PRO stunt", Mr Burke said his "record of arrogance we well appreciate from his pronouncements from the box on numerous occasions in the past, and his failure to accept any criticism at any time of him or his views".
Speaking on the second stage debate on the Road Safety Authority Bill, Mr Burke said the Minister would accept the importance of co-operation across the political divide on issues such as this.
When Mr Burke said he thought it was "important that if we are going to have a continuation of this person . . .", he was interrupted by the acting Cathaoirleach Mary Henry, who told him he had made his point. The person to whom he had referred to could not defend himself in the house.
Mr Burke said this individual was a Government appointee to a very important body. He had knowingly criticised parliamentarians on national television.
"I am asking the Minister once more if he will talk to the chairperson and ask him if he will reconsider the statement he made because he branded everybody in both houses in the same block and that's not acceptable for a person who is going forward looking for goodwill and co-operation from not only the houses of the Oireachtas but from other bodies who have an interest in this particular issue."
Transport Minister of State Pat The Cope Gallagher said they were very fortunate that somebody of the calibre of the chairman had agreed to take up this position. When he could be spending time with his family, he had opted instead to work many hours, days and weeks as chairman of this new body.
"I want to express the thanks of the Minister and the Government to the chairman for accepting this post."