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

-----of the absolute imperative of democracy, the importance of democracy and the degree to which we should cherish it. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, and his party will never again put up posters exhorting people to vote "Yes" for fewer politicians. What an appalling message to send young people in this country. What appalling cynicism. Some of Deputy O'Dowd's backbenchers knew it too and were saying it privately. Vote "Yes", get fewer politicians. It is more democracy we need, not less.

The one good aspect of the Seanad, imperfect as it is, whether we like it or not, is that it has produced alternative voices in Irish debate and discourse from across the board. I refer to celebrated figures who use the Seanad to raise issues of public importance and have good public debate. That is extremely important in a democracy. It is not all about passing legislation, regulations and so on. It is about a range of voices-----

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