Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to speak on this Bill because it addresses one of the promises we made in our programme for Government. We have been criticised by the people for not dealing with this earlier, but we have had a very busy referendum schedule so far, including referenda on the stability treaty and children's rights. This will also be a very important referendum because it will form a key part of the political reform we promised the people.

Part of the agenda for reform is to have a smaller and more effective government. We have already agreed to reduce the number of Deputies by eight. Reducing by more would not have been possible without a referendum. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, has arranged to reduce the number of councillors by 60. He has amalgamated local authorities and continues to streamline organisations to provide a more effective government. This will be the first change in the local authority structure since 1937. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, has been very brave in his reform agenda and I commend him on this.

The Bill is about whether we allow the people to have a referendum on the future of the Seanad. Ultimately, it is up to the people to decide whether they believe a second Chamber is a necessary part of our democratic system. When this Bill passes, we will have to await the decision of the people by way of referendum. This will change the Constitution if passed. The Government is trying to achieve a smaller, more streamlined and effective government.

Our political system was inherited from the UK and we are a much smaller nation. A country such as Denmark, which is similar in size, has a unicameral system of government. The important thing here is that the people will decide. Arguing about the past is a waste of our good time. Deciding on the future is something that everyone can be a part of with the people deciding in a referendum.

Some statistics are worth noting. In January 2012, the Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission informed the Committee of Public Accounts that if the Seanad was abolished, there would be an immediate cost saving of €9.2 million per year. He also estimated that there would be €13.3 million in indirect savings which relate to support costs to the State. Therefore, a total saving of €22.5 million would be made per year.

When estimating costs, we must compare those with the power and effectiveness of the Seanad. The Seanad has rejected two Bills since 1939, and in both cases the Dáil subsequently overturned the Senators' decision. The Seanad has produced some good amendments to various Bills which have been accepted by Governments over the years. However, most amendments introduced in the Seanad have been Government amendments. This situation could be dealt with by a more robust committee system.

Deputy Eoghan Murphy recently published proposals to reform the Dáil. His proposals focused on changes to the committee system, including the establishment of a new committee for budgeting oversight and scrutiny of legislation. This approach, together with the Government proposals, shows how a unicameral system would work.

The Taoiseach has described the abolition of the Seanad in terms of a sacrifice by the political system, one that politicians should make when so many other people are making huge sacrifices. He specifically pointed to New Zealand, Denmark, Norway and Finland as successful countries with similar populations. They all have only one House. Ireland simply is too small and we need reform at all levels. The passage of this Bill will give power to the democratic process and, ultimately, the people will decide the future. I commend the Bill to the House.

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