Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

I thank Deputy Murphy for bringing this Bill forward. It offers an opportunity to speak on the general issue of the presidency. Many people in this country believe, and I certainly believed, that the presidency was only established as a grazing ground for the political elites in this country. It only became a political issue in the political debate surrounding Mary Robinson when she stood for election. It was seen as a progressive step to have a woman, particularly from the left, stand in the election. Before that, hardly anybody knew who the President was. One only saw him being wheeled out for certain events. People only knew he lived in the big house in the Phoenix Park.

I believe we and the constitutional convention should be discussing the abolition of the presidency, and I would like to bring forward a Bill to provide for that. Deputy Byrne has put forward suggestions of what could be done with the presidency. The Attorney General could easily carry out the legislative role of the President. That should be considered. With regard to being the Head of State representing Irish citizens, there could be a rotating Head of State chosen every two years from the elected Government Ministers. Some mechanism should be examined whereby somebody could play that role. It would make for a more democratic and accountable Government in this Chamber.

The wage and expenses would be wiped out immediately. Áras an Uachtaráin could be used for a useful purpose by the community and voluntary sector, for example. We should open a full debate about what we can do about that office. I would bring forward a Bill in the future to reflect that and call for the abolition of the presidency. That would create a greater debate in society.

People are already raising the problems relating to extending the vote to those living outside the Twenty-six Counties, for example, the thousands of people leaving our country every week, people in the North and so forth. The Bill raises that debate and if the presidency is to remain in place, that should be the case. In addition, it should be open to 18 year olds, and that should be reflected in the Dáil with candidates for the Dáil also being eligible from 18 years. If one can vote at 18 years old, one should also be able to stand for election. Ultimately, it is up to the people to decide who they want; it is not up to an elite group in this Chamber to decide who should be selected and put forward. That has been an elitist position to date. The same applies to the Seanad, which I would also like to see abolished.

I agree that the religious content should be removed. It should also be removed from this Chamber. All local councils hold a minute's silence, and we should not be subjected to a prayer in this Chamber. I do not know if it is a constitutional requirement or a requirement of this Chamber, but it should be taken off the agenda. There should be a minute's silence so Members can reflect on their own religious or non-religious beliefs in the Chamber.

I conclude with that. I am anxious to put on record that I believe we should be debating not just this Bill but the abolition of the presidency.

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