Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I was delighted last night when Senator Boyle stated his party should press to have its legislation passed and that he regretted the fact that there would be no legislation on Seanad reform. It is an extraordinary jump from not being able to reform the Seanad to discussing its elimination. This point needs to be responded to by the Government. I am trying to be helpful, as the Green Party wishes to pass a series of important items of legislation, of which I would be supportive, for example, the Bills on political donations and climate change. I will not rehearse the arguments in favour of passing them. Since the Lower House will be focused on finance and budgetary issues for the next month or so, why can these Bills not be initiated in this House?