Alex White (Labour)

The university panel was selected in the first instance for a very sound and solid historical reason dating from the 1930s. Trinity College and the Church of Ireland had a particular historical position that made the creation of the panel absolutely correct.

Since I have become interested in politics, I have admired the work of past and present Members on the university panel, including Owen Sheehy Skeffington and, I have no difficulty in saying, Senator Norris, whose contribution to public life has been immense. This is not intended as a condescending remark, regardless of whether Senator Norris interprets it as such. If anybody in public life deserves to be in an upper house such as this, it is he. In this regard, I would also include many of his colleagues, including Senator Feargal Quinn, who have made significant contributions. We want to hear their views, as does the public, but that does not mean they should be elected simply because they are university graduates. Why should we maintain what is essentially an anachronism, that is, an electorate of third level graduates? "Anomaly" is probably a better word to describe it. I am sorry the word "elitist" offends some — I am certainly not using it with this intention — but it hints at the criticism that the 30% or 35% of the voting population who are graduates are afforded special treatment. This criticism should be part of the debate. Five or six other proposals have been mentioned by Senators and I would love an opportunity to address them at another time.