Shane Ross (Independent)

It is a great privilege to be given the honour of chairing this first meeting of Seanad Éireann. I congratulate all Members on their election to the Seanad. It is a hard road to get here and a great achievement to do so. It was 21 years ago that I celebrated as many Members celebrate today what is a matter of congratulation and triumph. Well done everybody. I am aware that some Members do not wish to be here as long as me but to be somewhere else.

I will set a precedent in this ceremony by stating that I think the Seanad has been subject to stringent criticism, particularly during the recent election. One of the reasons is that many of those who wish to be in the Seanad regard it as their second choice. There will be demands from all sides during the next few years for reform of this House. My plea to the Leader of the House and the next Cathaoirleach is that we do not follow that reform reluctantly but that we lead it.

There are real problems associated with this House which have to do with all Members. We should tackle them as a united body. They are difficult problems to resolve because they involve self-criticism and self-sacrifice. The main criticisms are that this House is an outlet for party political patronage and that it is divided mostly between the larger parties with no voice for minorities. Indicative of this is the fact that two of the most significant parties elected in the recent Dáil election were not elected to this House – the Progressive Democrats and the Green Party. That tells us something about this House. The uncomfortable truth is that we are a self-perpetuating body which is elected by politicians for politicians and for no other reason. We should address this issue and face it squarely over the next three or four years.