Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

I welcome the opportunity to address the motion, which is the first Private Members' motion tabled by me and my Green Party colleague, Senator Boyle. That we have tabled a motion on Seanad reform shows the importance we attach to the question. The issue was quite extensively debated during our first couple of sitting days in the House when Senators expressed their support for Seanad reform. However, as my colleague Senator Boyle pointed out, while 11 previous reports have been produced on the proposed process of Seanad reform we have not seen any of those recommendations being implemented. Unfortunately, there is always a tendency to carry on with business as usual.

It would appear that the political will to embrace reform has not been there up to now. In its current form the Seanad has been in existence for 70 years and it is desirable to renew and upgrade our democratic systems from time to time. To date, however, we appear to have lacked the political will to do so. The purpose of our motion is to recognise the important work undertaken by the previous Seanad with cross-party support and involvement. The sub-committee was chaired by the former Senator, now Deputy, Mary O'Rourke and other Members of this House including Senator Joe O'Toole, former Senator John Dardis of the Progressive Democrats, and former Senator, now Deputy, Brian Hayes. They put together a well argued case for Seanad reform with coherent recommendations. One of the report's conclusions was that the recommendations should be implemented in full, as a package and on an all-party basis.

The purpose of this motion is to establish that cross-party support for the process of Seanad reform, as proposed in that report, still exists. If so, we will be able to move to the next stage. We currently have a Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who is willing to embrace reform. In examining this area, he has brought to bear the commitment to reform in the programme for Government. If Senators are willing to examine positively the recommendations in the report of the previous Seanad, we will have a good opportunity to bring about such reform, which is so badly needed and for which there is a public appetite.

There is a desire for reform because increasingly the Seanad is viewed as being less relevant than it should be. It is also seen as not having a distinctive political contribution to make to the overall political process. I know this from personal experience. Since having had the honour of being nominated to the Seanad, many constituents congratulated me but in the next breath they asked what the Seanad does and what are its functions. This highlights the extent to which Senators are disconnected from ordinary citizens. It also demonstrates that the popular legitimacy we could and should enjoy is currently lacking.

The functions of this House were clearly outlined in the report of the sub-committee on reform produced by the previous Seanad. Some of that report's recommendations are excellent. As regards the composition of the Seanad, it is proposed that Dáil and Seanad elections should be decoupled. It is further proposed that a system of rolling renewal of the Seanad be introduced whereby approximately half the seats would be elected every five years by a system of direct, popular election. As my colleague Senator Boyle said, if that were to happen, it would stimulate much greater public interest in this institution.

There are also proposals for a reformed higher education representation system whereby all graduates of third level institutions in the State, holding a primary degree or equivalent award at level seven in the national framework of qualifications, should be entitled to vote in Seanad elections under a separate higher education constituency.

It was also recommended that a system of indirect election be retained with a strong local government dimension. The Green Party supports that, as councillors around the country should have an input in Seanad elections. The report recommended that 20 Seanad seats would be filled by this method.

It was also proposed that the number of Taoiseach's nominees be increased by one, to 12, and that in making his nominations the Taoiseach should have explicit regard to the capacity of nominees to represent under-represented and excluded groups in Irish society. Proposals were also made to have two nominated Senators from Northern Ireland, representing the Unionist and Nationalist traditions, as well as Senators representing the interests of immigrants and emigrants.

Strong recommendations were also made on a revised legislative role for the Seanad. One excellent proposal concerned a formal system to allow for consultation with interested groups and individuals early on in the legislative process. That would appeal to members of the public who often do not know how to go about lobbying and thus influencing legislation that passes through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Other recommendations included a new role for the Seanad in EU affairs, which I strongly support. In that respect, we could review draft EU legislation of major national policy importance as well as providing Irish MEPs with a domestic forum to discuss European issues. Recommendations were made concerning public policy reviews in addition to giving the Seanad responsibility for scrutinising senior public appointments.

The work that was carried out on that report was both thorough and intensive. Its recommendations will involve constitutional amendments requiring a referendum, as well as new legislation and amendments to the Standing Orders of the House.

The challenge facing this 23rd Seanad is one for which there is a public appetite. It is up to us, however, to decide whether we have the political will to make it happen. Change is not easy for any of us and it must often be imposed rather than being voluntarily embraced. We are in a unique position, however, to bring about such reform. We have before us a report with excellent recommendations that we can examine and hopefully support. We now have an opportunity to review and improve the quality of democracy that attaches to the institution of Seanad Éireann. I call on my colleagues to lend their support to Seanad reform. The Minister, Deputy Gormely, made an announcement earlier today and will clarify his position here this evening. I am sure he will be willing to help in the process of bringing about this reform.