Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I too welcome the Minister of State. This has been an interesting debate on what is an important topic for Senators. The report produced by the sub-committee is the result of six to seven months of hard, dedicated work. This is evident in today's debate and debate outside of the Chamber. I congratulate the members of the sub-committee and its secretariat which provided great support. The result of this process will be a credit to Members because it will continue long after present Members have moved on. In that sense it will be an effective testament.

As other speakers have said, any reform of the Seanad must be realistic and achievable. The balance reached in this report will lead to that achievement. The strength of the report is that it chose, in a clear and understandable way, the way forward. I would like to concentrate on some of the recommendations for "the way forward" as it is termed.

Some Senators have expressed reservations about the part of the report dealing with renewal on a rolling basis. If, for example, as has happened in the past, we have one or two general elections within the space of six months, what will be the position regarding renewal of members? Our current utopia cannot continue forever and it is possible we will have a number of elections in a short period. What effect will this have on the functioning and consistency of the Seanad? This is something we must consider. We can build the rolling renewal into the current system; it is a reasonable suggestion.

We should not, as the Leader said, be afraid of direct elections. We are currently in the throes of local elections. When people put themselves before the people seeking the vote of electors, that is probably the most difficult part of the process. However, they should not be afraid of the process and we should not be afraid of direct elections. Questions regarding proportionality and how divisions will be made are a matter for future debate. I am a Taoiseach's nominee but I have often heard Senators comment on how arduous it can be to canvass councillors throughout the length and breadth of the country. This is common.