Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I was in opposition the Order of Business in the Seanad was a great forum to raise issues of the day. It can be very difficult here as a Government backbencher because the Government has such a majority and the Dáil is more structured. We are speaking about reform, and I can speak in the Dáil on a Bill such as this on a Friday because of reform. There has been reform and anybody who states the Government has done nothing about reform is being misleading.

More than four years ago the Taoiseach rightly stated he would abolish the Seanad. I thought it was very brave and an insightful measure. He put it to the people whether they wanted the Seanad. The people spoke and stated they do, but that they were not happy with how it operates. Sometimes the Leader of the Seanad called on the Seanad to remain open on a Friday because a parliamentary party meeting or golf outing would take place the next day. This was wrong and it represented all that was wrong with the Seanad.

If one speaks of political reform, I live in Boyle, which has a town council with four Fine Gael councillors, as well as two from Fianna Fáil, two Independents and one from Sinn Féin. That council, the only town council in my constituency, is being abolished. Moreover, the number of councillors on Roscommon County Council is being reduced from 26 to 18. Similarly, the number of councillors on Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan county councils is being reduced from 25, 22 and 25, respectively, to 18, 18 and 18, respectively. Effectively, the Government of the day is reducing the influence of those regional areas in which Fine Gael is quite strong. While this is a good thing, it will not be appreciated by Members of the Opposition because it is not favourable. I agree it should be fair, in that one should have councillors where the population is, but I wish to highlight this change.

Moreover, the Taoiseach rightly sought to reduce the number of Deputies in the Dáil from 166 to 158. The area in which I live in Roscommon-South Leitrim has been moved out to Galway but I accept that. A proposition was put to the people on the Seanad and they have voted to express their wish to retain that House. However, the Seanad must be reformed. In that context, I believe the most recent appointment of the Taoiseach's nominees to the Seanad was the first time of which I am aware that very few of the aforementioned 11 nominees were political nominees. Most of them came from different aspects of Irish life, ranging from business, the arts, media and sport. It was very welcome that such a balance was given to the Seanad. As to whether they voted for the Government, no, of course they did not. They were not appointed to so do and while I sometimes would have liked them to vote for the Government, they have had their own views. Anyone who suggests the Taoiseach appointed his own cronies to secure a Government majority in the Seanad is simply wrong, as this is not true.

I believe the Seanad has huge potential. I agree that more people from the island of Ireland should be included in the Seanad. Similarly, this certainly is the case in respect of the diaspora in London and New York, as well as locations with Irish associations such as Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. They certainly offer scope in this regard and could bring an international view to the Seanad. I also believe there is great potential for the Seanad with regard to the scrutiny of European Union legislation. I note there has been agreement between the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and many of the party leaders that procedural reforms should proceed immediately and this has taken place. Many proposals have been put forward, some of which can be worked on while more may not make sense. However, today is a good day in that once again, Members can introduce legislation to the Dail on a Friday, which certainly constitutes reform.

The Constitution provides for 43 elected Members of Seanad Éireann to be elected by Oireachtas Members and by members of city and county councils through the five panels. Once again, through the reform of the local authorities, the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, have made it much more democratic, in that areas with greater populations will have much greater representation in the Seanad. In addition, when there are far fewer councillors representing counties such as Sligo, Roscommon and other areas of lesser population, one then will have far fewer Senators from those areas. The Government has received no acknowledgement for doing this even though - while I would not state it is undermining its own electoral base - it is trying to make it fair, in order that people from other areas can have an input. They certainly can get elected to the local authorities, which provide a huge resource and which work extremely hard, but they also can vote for the Seanad.

I reiterate that I am delighted to speak on this Bill. I had five highly interesting years in the Seanad and enjoyed every minute of it. It sometimes was less combative, especially being in opposition than being in government. However, Government Members have a job to do. The people elected them to do a job and while the easiest thing to do is to run away and resign, as one will receive the same amount of money, one does not have the same influence. One must have a Government that both governs for the people and is stable because the turmoil Ireland has come through in the past three to five years has been unprecedented. I take great pride in being a member of a Government that is introducing reform and which will save this country from the economic mess into which it was placed.

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