Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I thank Senators for their contributions and particularly for the tone and tenor of the debate which demonstrates that membership of the House is consistent with the belief we exist to serve. How we do so depends on the quality of this House and its structures.

I cannot accept the amendment put forward by the Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators as it is too descriptive. I ask those who moved the amendment to consider the Minister's speech, in which he gave a clear commitment that an all-party committee will be established immediately. The first task of that committee will be to determine in a short timespan that all-party agreement still exists on the basis of the last report.

I was struck by the final comments of Senator Walsh, that some Senators, who were Members of the last Seanad also, do not agree with the recommendations. We are not talking about unanimity or the views of individual Senators. We are talking about how all political parties and Independent Members can come to a consensus. As I said earlier, this is not how I would propose the Seanad to be. I would like to see a publicly elected Seanad. However, I recognise that the Seanad is the way it is for a reason. Any changes we bring to it should bring the best of what exists currently with it into the future.

We should not kid ourselves. There is a list system in our current arrangements for electing Senators. It is called the inner panel and it is determined solely in the backrooms of party offices.