Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Today I am not asking that any item be included in the agenda because it will be condensed between now and the end of the session. However, I ask that at the beginning of the next session we have a long debate on Seanad reform. There has been much discontent in the House in the past two sessions and it starts on the Order of Business. At times we are told the ordering of business depends on whether a Minister can attend in the House, but I do not know whether that is a sufficiently good answer. In the first week after we return in September or October we should have a long debate on Seanad reform, starting with the Order of Business and the structure of the Chamber. I support Senator Bacik who has also asked for a debate on the issue. I hope the Leader will grant permission to have such a debate on one of the first sitting days after the summer recess in order that we would at least know what the structure was and how we would do our business in the future.