Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is no problem. I commend Deputy Carroll MacNeill on the introduction of this Bill, which is an eminently sensible solution to a constitutional problem.

I thank Deputy Lawless for making the point that the Irish version of the Constitution takes precedence and it is far less prescriptive in regard to where, and I think the “where” is important. A debate did ensue when we were relocated to the Convention Centre as to what “where” meant, and whether it could be a constituency office, for instance. We have to come up with reasonable solutions to what is an eminently resolvable issue and Deputy Carroll MacNeill's proposal does just that.

I am reminded, in reading her First Stage speech, as I did this afternoon in preparation for this debate, that I can think of literally two dozen Members of the House in my 11 years here who would have, and undoubtedly could have, availed of such a provision if it were law. I am thinking of at least two Members I can recall who themselves have had babies: Deputy Niamh Smyth and the Minister, Deputy McEntee. Quite a number of Deputies, including two current Deputies I am aware of, me and Deputy Dillon, have become fathers while Members of the House. I can think of many occasions where, as Deputy Lawless mentioned, it was not exactly conducive to a family friendly parliament. In fact, I recall the Ceann Comhairle made a big deal out of the fact a well-known newscaster had made a point about family friendly being the focus of the Oireachtas yet we were voting on our weekly divisions at 2:33 a.m., and how ironic it was. There are many occasions where Members would very much appreciate the opportunity, in a secure manner, under certain circumstances, as the Deputy outlined in her Bill, where we could press a button to vote or indicate visually to other Members. For the benefit of people watching at home, we have enormous televisions in this Chamber which are eminently visible to all of us, and I am sure other provisions could be made to ensure the security of the vote is never questioned.

I am also thinking of Members who have injured themselves.

The Ministers of State, Deputies Naughton and Madigan, for instance, have injured themselves during this Dáil term and it might not have been possible for them to leave their homes but they could have participated or voted, or both. Deputies Naughten and Cannon have had serious injuries in the recent past and after a period of convalescence they probably would have been able to participate or vote, or both, if they wanted to. It is imperative that we take the lead of the European Parliament. I had reason to sit and watch a debate in the European Parliament and it was evident that Members all over Europe were participating in parliamentary debates in Brussels via a secure link. I am not sure whether they voted; they probably indicated their preference on issues during the course of a particular debate. That is something we can achieve.

As the Deputy has rightly outlined, this could not be a stand-alone referendum but it is an opportunity for us to put together a number of minor suggestions, not that this is minor. However, there are minor questions that the public would be encouraged to support and this is most likely one of them. There are a number of others. I recall, as I am sure the Acting Chairman will, a thorough debate on the programme for Government in 2011 about having a referendum day to update our Constitution. That included, in particular and probably most importantly, a suggestion to have a referendum on the reference to a woman’s place being in the home, which the Government has let fester for 11 years. I am never happy with that because there have been lots of opportunities for us to undo it but we have not done so. Perhaps this is an opportunity for us to have a referendum on something of substance and that is important, to which this referendum would lend itself because it is about a family friendly Parliament, treating women as equals, and ensuring that Members of the House can participate or vote, or both, when it is deemed appropriate by the Houses, for which this House determines anyway. That is possible.

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