Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom an Bille Chomhalta Phríomháidí seo a mholadh. Tá sé an-tábhachtach do gach aon duine, agus go háirithe do dhaonlathas na tíre seo, tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille seo.

In the run up to the general election in 2011, Sinn Fein was unconvinced that the potential merits of a bicameral system in Ireland were strong enough to maintain a structure that was profoundly democratic and served little purpose. That structure was and remains the Seanad. We believed that radical reform could make it beneficial, but we doubted it would happen under another conservative government. We were proved right that this reform was not achievable, at least up until now. What has changed is the will of the people. When the abolition of the Seanad became more than a soundbite and a cheap political slogan, people rejected it.

The political class have spent the last two decades sowing complete distrust among the general public, especially in working class communities, which has become much more vocal since the economic collapse.

This has meant that every proposal from the political class has been met with distrust, from Oireachtas tribunals to children's rights. The Seanad referendum showed clearly that people believed if the political establishment was saying X, then Y must be the right choice.

Some might see it as bizarre that people chose to show their distrust by retaining an institution that, in its current set-up, embodies all of the worst of the political establishment's excesses and abuses. In reality, it was an aspirational vote by the people. They believed the Seanad could be something better, they resented being given no option and they wanted to punish the Government for failing to do so.

A better second House is possible. A more democratic and representative House is possible. The rejection of the referendum should be seen by all on the "Yes" side, including us in Sinn Féin, as an opportunity to explore the expansion of our democracy and engagement and participation with the public. True, valued political reform can only happen when democracy is allowed to flourish and we have a very limited expression of democracy in this State. Voting every five years for councillors or Deputies is not the be all and end all of democracy but the bare minimum.

A reformed Seanad could be a wholly democratic body but, in contrast to the Dáil, one that sets out to address structural problems in our society and to promote equality, pluralism and co-operation. This can be done in part by some of the recommendations in the Sinn Féin motion. A Constitutional Convention hearing on Seanad reform, which would fill the first bullet point criteria, would be positive. The people have been impressed by this structure and felt it has represented their views and presented arguments for real change, particularly its proposals on social and economic rights.

Direct election of Senators by universal suffrage would begin a renewed interest in democratic engagement and give all citizens ownership over the reformed body and political reform as a cause. Northern representation would present a wonderful opportunity to give voice to a people left out of the narrative of the Ireland of the Oireachtas and could give great insight for political leaders into the nuts and bolts of the peace process, which continues to unfold today. Having 50% women Members would further advance the cause of gender equality and show that the Government is serious on the issue, as well as providing a new generation of role models for young women who want to be involved in public life but see nothing but men at the top tables and policies that dehumanise them in a society that objectifies them.

Representation of marginalised groups would also be invaluable. Members of the Traveller community, other ethnic minorities, the LGBT communities and others have an important voice, which is either unheard or under-represented. Constitutional reform is urgently needed and the Seanad needs to be more democratic. It must be a House that people feel enhances our democratic processes and values. The people have spoken and they want to keep the Seanad. I commend the motion to the House. The cause of political reform is one we all cherish.

See this speech in context