Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

We suggest that 32 Members would be directly elected by the people at the same time as local and European elections, half-way through the life of an Oireachtas. We suggest that the other 32 would be indirectly elected. Some 20 would be appointed or elected by local authority members because we feel it is important to keep the link between councillors and this House and 12 would be appointed by the Taoiseach of the day after a general election. Of the 32 directly elected, 26 would be on a PR list system throughout the entire country and six would be left for what we describe as a new higher education constituency.

The situation has worked well with regard to university seats. If people wish they may remain in that sector. However, if one is a graduate and wants to vote in the graduate constituency, one would vote in the new constituency of six seats, whereas other members of the public would vote in the 26 seat constituency under a PR list system.

We suggest that 12 Members would be nominated by the Taoiseach, two from Northern Ireland representing the two traditions there. Certain regard must be given by the Taoiseach to groups under-represented in our society to ensure their views are represented in Parliament. We suggest that there would be a rolling renewal of this House in that 50% of Members would be elected on the same day European and local elections are held and the other Members would be elected after a general election to the other House. In effect, we propose an end to the vocational nomination system. We suggest that former Taoisigh and Tánaistí would be entitled to attend but not vote in the Seanad because of their particular experience in Government and the wealth of experience they have built up over time. Their contribution would be useful to this House.

We have proposed new functions for the House, work that has not been done by any Member in either House of the Oireachtas. There should be a formal consultation stage for legislation, allowing for submissions at that stage rather than Bills coming before the House without proper consultation. The House should have a particular role in EU affairs to provide that proposals which go to Council from the Government would be scrutinised better in the House. We propose a particular role for MEPs and a particular role in reviewing national policy and examining how it is delivered by State agencies.

There should be a greater linkage between this House and the social partners. There should be much greater scrutiny of the North-South Ministerial Council and the North-South bodies, which could be done by this House.

We suggest there should be proper scrutiny by this House of a proposal from Government for senior appointments made by both Houses of the Oireachtas. This suggestion does not in any way undermine a Government decision but seeks to ensure that a person who will obtain a very high post would be subject to questioning in this House to ensure that person is up to speed and suitable for the job.

We suggest the Leader of the House should be entitled to attend Cabinet, given that whomever that person will be, he or she will have to defend the Government on regular occasions. We propose that preferably the Leader would be a Cabinet Minister to give this House the standing it needs.

I could speak for another 40 minutes on this issue but the time allocated does not permit me to do so despite the fact that I have proposed the Cathaoirleach be returned automatically at the next election. I commend the report to the House. I ask colleagues to give it a fair wind. At the end of this process we do not want another report gathering dust; we want one that will deliver reform and gain new credibility for the House and ensure its integrity and durability in the years ahead.