Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I express deep gratitude to the people who exercised their civic duty to vote in the recent referendums, regardless of how they voted. To vote is a patriotic act at the core of an expression of Irish freedom. It is also an act whereby one enters the territory of collective responsibility for how the country is governed. It demonstrates a very welcome resistance to the culture of individualism.

Having strongly campaigned on the need for Seanad reform, I am, of course, delighted with the outcome of the Seanad referendum. I am grateful for the astute leadership demonstrated by the Leader of the House and the extraordinary commitment and work of the founding members of Democracy Matters and all those who volunteered their precious time or financially contributed to that cross-party civic society group. I know colleagues will understand why I pay special tribute to Senators Feargal Quinn, David Norris, John Crown and Sean D. Barrett for their tireless and inspiring commitment to Seanad reform.

My question for the Leader centres on the Taoiseach. I acknowledge the graceful way in which the Taoiseach accepted the people's verdict. I welcome wholeheartedly his recent statements of intent to lead the Government in deciding how to make this House more effective. Seanad Éireann in its current format is crying out for reform and the outcome of the referendum provides a strong mandate from the people for the Taoiseach to begin that process. As others have mentioned, we have two legislative proposals, namely, the Bill put forward by Senator Feargal Quinn and me and the one introduced by Senator John Crown, both of which passed Second Stage in the House and offer a substantive starting point for credible means to effect a radical transformation of how Seanad Éireann is elected and how it functions.

I am strongly of the view that had the panels been used properly and effectively in the past as constituencies of public interest, this House would have commanded greater respect and been more effective in its work. I am, therefore, in favour of their retention. I am also strongly of the view that the Taoiseach's lead on Seanad reform should, as colleagues have urged, be conducted in parallel with substantive Dáil reform. If that is the case, we will not require constitutional change for the present.

Rather, we should seek to get the best legislative change for the Seanad and procedural changes for both Houses so that transparency and accountability become hallmarks of Irish democracy. Will the Leader ask the Taoiseach to come to the Seanad Chamber within a month to outline to us his plans for Seanad and Dáil reform? I assure the Taoiseach that my colleagues and I want to work in a collaborative manner with the Government and all parliamentary Members to ensure the necessary reform in Seanad Éireann is achieved as soon as possible. There is urgent - the people are waiting and watching and they want change now.