Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Higgins has said of his own decrepit outfit that it is faoi lán tseoil, or something like that.

On the question of the future of the Seanad, the position was made very clear before the general election by both parties. It is a central part of the reform agenda in the programme for Government and will be put to the people, as I said to Deputy Martin, hopefully before the end of 2013. I have read all the comments from people, some of whom served in the Seanad themselves, who seem now to be taking a different view on the matter. I will publish the material when it is all together and when I think it is appropriate. We have overseen four referendums in the space of 12 months, with the next one taking place on 10 November and others to follow. This period of government will see more referendums put to the people than in the lifetime of many previous Governments. It is about having an effective, clear strategy and allowing the convention to be effective in doing its work. The Government will stick to its word: it will respond to the recommendations of the convention within a four-month period and put a proposal to the people in due course in a way that allows them to digest the range of information, understand what they are being asked to decide and give their verdict accordingly.

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