Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Seanad Éireann was established 65 years ago in 1937 and many would say it has stood the test of time. Usually when Seanad elections are held, certain commentators ask whether the House should be abolished. A number of journalists, for example, believe it is undemocratic, but the opposite is the case. The primary criticism regularly levelled at the House is that its Members are not directly elected by the public. I, with many other Members, was elected by county councillors who, after all, are elected by the people. Therefore, the public indirectly has a say through local authority representatives.

One would often think that the Oireachtas is unique in that it comprises two Houses, but at least nine EU member states have two Houses in their legislatures and in five of them one House is not directly elected by the people. Ireland is not unique in that respect. When Éamon de Valera established the Oireachtas in 1937, he had double vision regarding the Seanad as he looked upon it as both a legislative examiner and an advisory body. Many of us will be Members for a short time and we should try to effect change in the House. I hope something tangible and concrete results from the debate on Seanad reform.