Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to my amendment No. 56. The many commitments and promises made by the Government included the putting of a question to the people regarding the abolition of the Seanad. I remind the Government that this wish was rejected by the people and that having been the case, I would have expected legislation to go through the normal procedures in both Houses of the Oireachtas. I concur with previous speakers in this regard. I am anxious for the House to be informed as to why these amendments were not accepted on Committee Stage and for the Minister to reiterate why they will not be accepted on Report Stage. Irrespective of the contention, shared by all of us, that the Seanad is due for reform, it is the will of the people that it be retained. Parties other than that of the Taoiseach have committed to such reform. Following such a recent poll in which the people sought the retention of the Seanad and the additional scrutiny that takes place there following the passage of legislation in this House, the people's decision is being rejected in the form of the proposal whereby the Government wishes to bypass that process, which is constitutionally enshrined. I ask the Minster to respond.

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