Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

On behalf of myself, a newly elected Senator, and my colleague, Senator Dan Boyle, I congratulate Senator Moylan on his election to the position of Cathaoirleach of this 23rd Seanad. I do not know the Cathaoirleach personally but I have heard the tributes paid to him and people have spoken of his fairness. I look forward to working with him in this new Seanad.

As others have said, this will be a very interesting Seanad. The Green Party speaks frequently on the issue of biodiversity as it is essential to the health of any ecosystem. As a political system there is plenty of diversity in this Seanad with regard to gender balance, experience of Members and the representation of different political parties. I welcome the Sinn Féin representative to Seanad Éireann and Senator Dan Boyle and I are the first Green Party Members of the House. I look forward to working in an interesting and lively Seanad.

It is important that the issue of Seanad reform be raised, as it has been, on this the day of the formation of this Seanad. The public has an appetite for the reform of this institution, although that is not to say that the Seanad has not performed a very important and valuable role in the country to date. We should move with the times as the public wishes to see this institution become more democratic. My colleague and I will do everything we can to ensure those reforms receive cross-party support and are brought about during the lifetime of this Seanad.