Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct; that is way the President of the United States is elected. I do not see anybody here jumping up and down about that. Article 19 of the Constitution states:

Provision may be made by law for the direct election by any functional or vocational group or association or council of so many members of Seanad Éireann as may be fixed by such law in substitution for an equal number of the members to be elected from the corresponding panels of candidates ...

There is scope in that article for this to be examined. All I am saying is that we should not throw out the baby out with the bathwater, as there are many good things that can be done. In the absence of a concrete debate that includes all elements, the proposed reforms would be unfair to the current Senators and those who went before. The Seanad has a lot to offer and can make a difference going forward.

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