Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

On behalf of everyone, I offer congratulations to Senator Higgins on his election to the European Parliament and to all those who stood in that contest. I also congratulate all those who were elected to the local authorities. The most important result was not just the success of the Opposition but the massive turnout compared with an average of 15% to 20% in other EU countries. We owe the people, and the candidates from all parties whose campaign over the past six months or so contributed to that turnout, a great tribute.

The results clearly point to a dramatic change in the composition of the next Seanad by virtue of local authority membership. I wonder whether, in a newly constituted Seanad, there would be greater support for Seanad reform along the lines we have proposed.