David Norris (Independent)

If we are to be spancelled, when will the House have an opportunity to discuss the matter? This is an important question, particularly for those of us who have been in receipt of communications from constituents. While some of those I have received have been balanced, others have been neurotic and abusive and assume that I am personally responsible for the desecration of the museum next door.

If Senator MacSharry is interested in Seanad reform, he should note that when, at the beginning of this session, I tabled a bundle of recommendations which emerged from a series of discussions, including the deliberations of a cross-party committee chaired by the then Leader, Senator O'Rourke, who is now a Member of the other House, the Government side voted against them. That shows how serious the Government is about Seanad reform. It has been indicated in the press that some reform may by introduced, led by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, which will be targeted, perhaps exclusively, at the university seats in order that we may be effectively neutered and the whole constituency opened up to political hackery. The Government will not get away with that.