Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is now over 12 months since the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. We had a raft of promises following that exercise, including one to carry out an urgent review of the workings of the Seanad, but it has been quickly forgotten about. It has been put to bed and nothing has changed, this after 75 years during which there were ten separate reviews and reports on the Seanad.

The need for reform is evidenced by the state of the economy and its mismanagement in the so-called boom years of the Celtic tiger. At the time inadequate policies were not adequately challenged by the Opposition which was equally deficient under the current system. A Government Deputy subject to the Whip is like a cowboy without a gun; he or she cannot hold the Government to account. This is the result of the culture of clientelism, of which all Deputies are well aware. It is what we live by. It is historical and a major factor in the retention of our seats. By and large, we are all absorbed in this business rather than prioritising legislation on national policy. For all Deputies, it is a matter of survival, with time spent on more mundane matters.

Constituency matters are a priority for the survival process. That is the world in which we live. We are not giving the required time to the studious examination of policies, legislation and so forth. Members of the Seanad can give the time that is required within that forum.

There are practical and meaningful reforms whereby effective legislation could be achieved without resorting to further referenda. People sent a clear message at the ballot box last October. They clearly signalled that they wanted the Seanad reformed for the purpose of being a watchdog and a safety net, to avoid consequences such as those with which we are now faced in the case of Irish Water. That legislation was rammed through the Oireachtas prior to last Christmas and we are now experiencing the fall-out from that. It has been described by the former Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, as an unmitigated disaster. We have all seen the debacle that has occurred since then.

People are becoming more informed about politics in this technological age. They are becoming more sophisticated. They are much more aware of politics than we think. They are seeking more scrutiny of legislation and of the work of the Oireachtas. The Seanad is the ideal forum to ensure that due time is given to the process. Many things can be done. It has been suggested that the work of the Seanad can be improved immediately within the existing constitutional framework by giving it a greater role in matters such as EU legislative scrutiny and North-South co-operation. There is also the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, under Pat Spillane, which appears to be lying idle. We have not seen any discussion of it. It is very important to the future of rural areas and it is a matter that should be referred to the Seanad immediately. The Seanad could liaise with Ministers and Ministers of State about all aspects of the report.

See this speech in context