Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The Independent Members have considered at length whether or not to propose a Member as Cathaoirleach on this occasion. We are delighted that you, Acting Chairman, have achieved your seniority at last and it gives us great pleasure to see you as the central authority figure speaking praesedere and ex cathedra and assuming the mantle of authority with aplomb. You appear to have settled into the position. I admire you for expressing your views. I am sure the press will not have the slightest interest in them.

The Independent Senators offer congratulations to all Members who have been elected to the Seanad. While I differ from you, Sir, in some of your views I agree that there should be reform. We must recognise that Members are, in the words of the song, "here because they're here". They have been elected constitutionally and whether membership of this House is our first or second choice I ask only that Members give a commitment to the House, offer their views and help to make the Seanad work.

I remind newly elected Senators that their constituency is the country and not a specific geographic area. This House will be great if Members think nationally rather than locally. However, we are not completely out of touch and I accept that Members may act locally after hours.

This can be a great Seanad although it needs to be reformed. County councillors should not be deprived of their votes because this distillation of democracy can help, but they should not elect 43 Senators. The issues of extending the university votes to all third level graduates and of bringing its vocational nature back to the Seanad are important. I do not agree that the practice of the Taoiseach nominating Senators should be abolished. The Taoiseach's nominees are an important part of the nature of the House.

Significant reforms need to be addressed and I appeal to the new Cathaoirleach and the Leader of the House to put pressure on the Government to support the views of the House on this matter. I congratulate you, Acting Chairman, on what I consider to be an extraordinary achievement of 21 years service in this House, which is recognised today by all your colleagues. Whatever differences we have at various stages, in this House or elsewhere, it would be niggardly of us not to recognise it as such. Well done and long may you continue in the Chair if somebody decides to propose you.