Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like everyone in this House I agree that a period of calm and reflection is required rather than any triumphalism as a result of last week's vote. The vote proved yet again that where there is a lack of consensus on change to the Constitution, it is very difficult to effect that change. There was most definitely a lack of consensus at this time. The people gave their choice and they made a decision based on a reflection rather than as a knee-jerk reaction. However, I share the views from all sides of the House that the emphasis should not be on this House alone.

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien that most people want political reform in the widest possible context. There is no doubt but that the Dáil is crying out for some sort of effective reform, whatever about this House. If any reform is to take place in this House, it has to take account of the other House. We can never be seen, irrespective of what reform policy is adopted, to be in any way competing with the other House. This House has been and should remain complementary to the other House. It is a case of how to build that architecture which is the challenge facing the political establishment. There is no doubt that the Lower House is the principal House and that is where the reform should come from. It should include, for instance, a revision of the Whip system and a study of other parliamentary systems in use in Europe.

The Danish system was used very much as a stick with which to beat us here in the Seanad and it could perhaps be usefully considered as a template to enlarge and extend democracy within this country. In that example the government is accountable to parliament rather than the other way around, as is the case here, where the Parliament essentially does the will of the Executive. Whatever is done and whatever discussions are taken, the process must not be followed in isolation; that is the clear message from the events of last weekend. It is about political reform in the round.