Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like the Taoiseach, we have to respect the choice of the people. I was with family members on Saturday. They were trying to console me about the result. As one of them pointed out to me, people came out on a reform question. Whether by voting "Yes" or "No", they were taking part in that process of reform. They just had a different vision of it. Some 40% came out to do that. It is not a large number and we would have liked to have seen more, but 40% of the population are engaged and involved in the question of how we reform our Parliament to make it better. This is a positive that both sides can take away from the referendum result.

As a new Government and a new Parliament, we have a responsibility to rebuild the people's trust in their politicians, their leaders and their political institutions. We do that in deeds, not in words - by their works shall they be known. Putting the question to the people formed a part of that process. We made a commitment on which we followed through. We now have an advantage. With so many interested in reform and willing to spend time and resources in trying to shape that vision and in moving forward quickly, it would be a shame were we to delay the process of Dáil reform because we took time to reflect on Seanad reform. The processes could work side by side. For example, some of the reforms that have been mentioned in this debate - a loosening of the Whip on Committee Stage in the Dáil - would impact on the Seanad because Senators sit on those very same committees. If the ordering of the Dáil's business was returned to its Members in a non-Whipped vote in some instances, for example, the length of time for a Bill to be debated or its scheduling, it would flow down to the Seanad. Many such proposals do not need referendums or new laws and could be implemented quickly. I look forward to the reforms that will be made. We must be willing to test such reforms for a period of six months and return to this Chamber to reflect on how to progress them further.

To echo Deputy Lawlor, I thank the Taoiseach for his presence.

It is a signal of how much he respects this Chamber. It also reflects how seriously he takes his own reform proposals and his own ambition in that regard.

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