Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Senator Buttimer.

I welcomed the report on Seanad reform when it was published some years ago. One of its main items was the suggestion that reforms ensure that "the Seanad, or more realistically Seanad committees, would become vehicles for more widespread and effective public consultation". There are a number of ways we can approach reform. We can amend Standing Orders, a proposal for which is before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges at present. Many of the suggestions of the report can be covered under Standing Orders, such as allowing a former Taoiseach to attend the Seanad on a matter before the House or having MEPs speak in the House, which has already happened. These are laudable reform suggestions.

Another concerns scrutiny proposals for legislation under Community treaties, which the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny concludes is of significant and national importance. They should be debated here. Select committees can and should be formed to deal with the mid-term EU policy and consider the development of the European Union in the long term. There is the suggestion that a sub-committee on social policy and social partnership be formed, to be reflective on instruments of social partnership such as the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance and the National Economic and Social Development Office reports. These can be done under Standing Orders, constituting a major item of reform.

Most people think of Seanad reform relating to the manner in which Senators are elected. It is the item that grabs the headlines but it is a small part of it. The vocational panel system has served the House well and should be retained, with some modifications. Up to 20 people should be directly elected by the people, based on European Parliament constituencies or otherwise. There should be a five year set term. Perhaps holding the Seanad election on the same day as the general election would separate the powers of the Senate and the Dáil. I am sorry I agreed to share my time now because I could talk about this for a long time. It is laudable that we are having this debate. Anyone who thinks that Seanad reform refers to the method by which we are elected is losing the plot.