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

It is as if political reform is fine as long as the Government does not have to give up any power.

The Seanad issue is really dragging on. My only issue is that the chair should be someone who is passionately committed to Seanad reform and that we do not appoint somebody who is hostage to his or her colleagues in the Seanad. In other words, there will be certain interests who would not necessarily be enthusiasts for the reform of the Seanad along the lines envisaged. That is the context in which I suggested the name of a person who I think would be constitutionally well aware of the parameters but also very committed to it, and would make sure something would come of it, rather than the prevarication that is currently going on. We are just not getting there. I ask the Taoiseach not to do what he did to Deputy Jim O'Callaghan's judicial appointments Bill, which was a cynical use of the money Bill process to block it. It is a very well written and structured Bill.

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