Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O’Donovan said the claim that the Seanad cost €200 million was completely incorrect.

“I take this opportunity to nail a particular lie which has been circulating during the debate on this matter and which is extremely unfair,’’ he said. Mr O’Donovan said the library and research services of the Houses estimated the actual cost at just over €8 million.

He was speaking during the resumed debate on the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill, paving the way for the autumn referendum to abolish the House. The Bill passed all stages.

Mr O’Donovan said the Government had a huge majority in the Dáil. “I could almost see a dictatorship emerging by virtue of the fact that an inner politburo of three or four individuals within this administration is dictating what happens,’’ he added. “Members of this House and backbenchers in the Lower House have become increasingly less important to the political system.’’

Diarmuid Wilson (FF) said one of the Seanad’s more important functions through the mid-20th century was to give a voice to the minority, represented, for instance, by Prof WB Standford for 25 years, at a time when the majority political and religious opinion was still fairly monolithic.

“Historically, the Seanad will be seen to have played a significant role since the opening up of Irish society,’’ he added.

Mr Wilson said the House’s proposed abolition, by a Government with the largest majority in the State’s history, would also remove the Taoiseach’s nominees. That group included remarkable people such as Seamus Mallon, Bríd Rogers, John Robb, Gordon Wilson and Maurice Hayes, who had made a valuable contribution to better mutual understanding as well as to democracy.

Prof John Crown (Ind) said Minister for Health Dr James Reilly should attend the House to clarify the appalling situation relating to discretionary medical cards being limited, in the case of cancer, to patents whose diagnosis was terminal.

He added that he never used the word “terminal’’ and he cared for more cancer patients than pretty much anyone else in the country. The word should only be used in the case of someone who was literally on his or her deathbed.

“There are many patients who are incurable,’’ Prof Crown added.

“The entire philosophy relating to cancer treatment is changing and that is why I am just stunned by the ignorance of the Department of Health in drawing up this new regulation.’’