Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When the people spoke last Friday, they rejected the Taoiseach's proposal to abolish Seanad Éireann. In his own words, they gave him one hell of a wallop. I put it to the Taoiseach that he refused to listen to reasoned opinion advocating reform before the referendum. He refused to refer the issue to the Constitutional Convention. He refused to give the people a choice between abolition and reform. He even refused to debate the issue - to take it to the people. Essentially, it was his way or no way. I suggest that the result of the referendum reflects a reaction to the proposal itself and to the Government's way of doing business. We need to be clear that the people voted for a reformed Seanad. They did not vote for the retention of the status quo. There is a legislative template on the Order Paper. I refer to the Bill placed on the Order Paper by Deputy Ross, which is-----

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