Seanad debates

Tuesday, 1 July 2003

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Committee Stage.

 

There is also an issue for this House in that the title of the Bill is the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill. Is there a certain equality between the Houses of the Oireachtas or is it sufficient to accept that the Dáil is by far the most important political body and that the Seanad is, politically-speaking, somewhere in the back of beyond? When dignitaries such as President Clinton, President Mitterand or Nelson Mandela visit Leinster House, it is normal that the Ceann Comhairle greets that person and that the only other person with speaking rights is the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. There is a certain equality in that but everybody accepts, in this bicameral Oireachtas, that the Dáil is the primary Chamber and the Seanad is secondary. However, if there was any doubt about the meaning of section 9(1) and its implications, I would be unhappy.

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