Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

As one of the new Senators to whom the Leader referred, I deem it an immense honour to be elected to this House. Seanad reform should not focus on how we are elected, as Senator Cummins pointed out. I was elected by councillors on a panel including the Leader and Senator Cummins. From meeting councillors I know they take their jobs seriously, despite the criticism heard today. Some 99.9% of them, across all political parties, are decent, upright people who take their jobs seriously.

I do not see the Upper House as the intensive care ward of the Lower House. It is meaningful, there are 35 new Senators, new parties are represented and it represents the voice of the people. Parties who organise voting pacts and observe how their party members vote devalue this House. That should be stopped. It is important to have an Upper House. Reform of the electorate will not make the House more democratic. Reform is always mentioned with regard to this House but the manner in which we carry out our business is far more important. There should be Question Time in this House. Senators should have the ability to table parliamentary questions. We should be able to hold Ministers to account rather than having Adjournment debates or strategic motions. I agree with the Minister's statements in The Irish Times with regard to the university panels. As a graduate of the Pontifical University of Maynooth I should have a vote in Seanad Éireann because my degree is no different from those of Trinity College, DIT, UCD or UCC.