John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I refer to the debate we had on the commencement of the new Seanad regarding reform of the House. This issue should be examined and debated within the House. The impression might be given of how democratic is the House. A proposal was put before the people in 1937, which was voted on in 1938. Almost 700,000 voted so that we could be elected in the manner we are — six from the university panels, 43 from the vocational panels and 11 nominated by the Taoiseach. This has served the country well. I propose the number of Members should be increased. Given the membership of the Dáil has increased from 120 to 166, there should be at least ten more Members.