Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I do not have a problem with the amendment. However, I have put down amendments proposing that the deputy chairperson be the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. These amendments were not suggested to me by any person, lest anybody be under a misapprehension that they were. They are my own idea. Indeed, during the debate on Second Stage, I gave notice that I would put down amendments to give effect to the suggestions I made during that debate.

It is obvious that if this House is to be treated with the status and respect to which it is entitled as a Chamber that is independent of Dáil Éireann and which initiates and enacts legislation, the Bill should provide that the position now called "deputy chairperson" should be held by the Cathaoirleach of this House. I may be wrong but at one stage the impression was given that the Cathaoirleach would not even be an automatic member of the commission. If that is true there must have been a change of heart because the Cathaoirleach is now, in his own right, a member of the commission.

The Ceann Comhairle is the chairperson of the commission, and rightly so. It is patently obvious, from the point of view of respect for this Chamber, its tradition and the work it does, that the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad should automatically be the deputy chairperson of the commission. In other words, in the event of the chairperson not being in attendance at a meeting of the new commission, automatically the Cathaoirleach would take over the function and role of chairperson.

One of the reasons for putting this forward, apart from recognising the role and status of this House, is that if and when the Dáil is dissolved the Ceann Comhairle ceases to be chairman of the commission and therefore somebody else has to take over that role. This Chamber continues in existence until such time as the new Seanad is elected. From the point of view of streamlining, as well as recognising the status of this House and the role of the Cathaoirleach, it seems to be a logical and sensible step to have the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann automatically written into this legislation as the deputy chairperson.