Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Going back to this debate, and keeping to this debate, it is wrong that instead of reforming we abolish, that instead of giving the people more of an opportunity we abolish. Great debates have taken place in this House. During the Minister of State's time here great debates took place. We could reform this House to be an institution that could be reforming, reflective and scrutinise legislation, particularly that coming from the European Union. Only 2% of the European laws that affect this country are scrutinised by the Oireachtas. That means that 98% of all the laws made in Europe that affect this country are not scrutinised by the Oireachtas. We do not even need a referendum or legislation to scrutinise those laws, all we need is to change the order under which the Seanad does its business.

We can make this Chamber a reforming Chamber, one that works more effectively for the people. We can give everyone in the country a vote to elect people into this Chamber. I would support that, whether it was done on a European Parliament constituency basis or some other way. Let us give the people the option to decide what they want and not just go black and white, yes or no because if there was a referendum in the morning to abolish or keep Dáil Éireann who is to know what way people would vote? Maybe the Dáil should be abolished and not the Seanad. Has the Taoiseach reflected on that idea? If he really wants to save money why not keep this Chamber and get rid of the other Chamber, which costs almost ten times more than this House? If the Taoiseach is serious about saving money then he would simply decide to get rid of the Dáil and have the people directly elect Senators into this House and they would form the Government.