Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I wish to make a number of points to support the case for Senators. The Government should let the practicalities determine who runs for what office. Few MEPs also serve as Deputies because it is not practical to do so. However, it is clearly practical to hold a local government mandate and be a Member of the Oireachtas. Why ban that? There are anomalies in that there will be the dual mandate of Deputy and MEP. Why not ban that dual mandate first? The dual mandate will not be gone in 2004 because Deputies and Senators will still be running for the European Parliament and will be allowed to retain their Oireachtas seats for a year or two afterwards.

I am not setting up Senators against Deputies. My personal view is that the dual mandate should not be banned. For the purposes of proper debate, it is important that this view is put in the House. The step being taken by the Government is so significant that it is important we debate it fully, irrespective of party political views.

I sympathise with the argument for ending the dual mandate but, overall, feel it is a wrong move. A special case can be made for Senators because their electorate is largely made up of county councillors. That should still be the case in respect of Seanad reform and councillors should have a role in electing Senators, which would be one way of keeping the worthwhile local government link. County councillors should be allowed to run for the Seanad while remaining on county councils. Practising councillors remain in touch with the operations—