Mr Maurice Manning, Fine Gael leader in the House, warned that if the controversial Waste Management Bill was steamrolled through this week, the principle of co-operation on Seanad business would be withdrawn by the Opposition.
Strongly criticising the Government leader in the Seanad, Mr Manning accused Mr Donie Cassidy of treating him in a contemptuous fashion.
He said he had agreed to the second stage of the Bill being taken this week. But he had subsequently been informed by Mr Cassidy, without any consultation, that the remaining stages were to be taken next Friday. The Seanad was being asked to "rubber-stamp through in two days" a Bill which had taken three years to prepare.
He had written to Mr Cassidy expressing his concerns, but had not received even an acknowledgement.
Mr David Norris (Ind) said he agreed with Mr Manning on the way the business of the House was being conducted. "I think it remarkable that he made so trenchant a contribution, because he is a man of moderation, balance and good sense. It takes a great deal for him to be provoked into the kind of statements that he made."
Mr Cassidy assured Mr Manning no disrespect had been intended.