Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Glynn for allowing me say some short words. I welcome the report for our deliberations today with the Minister present. It is a very important time for the Seanad. As Leader of the Seanad I fully support its reform. I support the proposal that all graduates should have a vote and I believe I speak for all Senators on all sides of the House when I say we are in unison in that respect.

As I said during the Order of Business recently, this House has an important duty with regard to the processing of legislation. It is not always possible to give all Bills full time in the Dáil. This House must be the protector of the Constitution and of the taxpayer. I am very proud to state that in my seven years as Leader of Seanad Éireann, to which position I was appointed three times, no Bill was guillotined in this House apart from two occasions. All sections were discussed. All Committee and Report Stages were taken. Line by line every Bill was protected under the Constitution and with regard to the taxpayers getting value for money. That is a serious commitment to the value of Seanad Éireann.

The people do not see the good work that takes place in this House. We have a duty to discuss the possibility of moving the time of the Order of Business to allow for the televising of our proceedings at least one morning per week, as happens in the Dáil at present. We should opt for a system other countries have whereby a Member is allowed to ask one question for one minute, in an orderly fashion. I am prepared to take this matter to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and to do anything within current regulations and procedures to bring the message to the people about the great importance of the work being done in Seanad Éireann.

I call on those responsible journalists who have the democracy of our country at heart. We are not a dictatorship but a proud democracy in a very young nation among the nations of the world and we must consider seriously allowing the print media and radio let the proceedings of this House be known. We did not get the title of "Upper House" in a flip one-liner in an article in a Sunday or daily newspaper. We got it by the hard-earned work of Members who have gone before us since the setting up of this House. I can say, without fear of contradiction and having been a Member of both Houses, that the way our business is conducted and the manner in which Bills are scrutinised here is second to none in any parliament in the world.