John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I thank Senator O'Toole for raising this issue and for his long and active interest in Seanad reform. I welcome the motion and agree with the Senator that reform of the Upper House deserves our attention. His motion represents a commendable desire to move this issue forward without further delay and I am happy to have the opportunity to lay out the timetable I intend to pursue. I had the opportunity to discuss the issue with the Senator earlier this week. I believe he understands that I have a genuine commitment to Seanad reform.

The programme for Government states that the Government will determine the extent of cross-party agreement on the recommendations of the Report on Seanad Reform to advance proposals for its implementation. The commitment to seek to advance Seanad reform forms a part of the Government's overall approach to Oireachtas reform.

In February 2003 the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges established the sub-committee on Seanad reform. The terms of reference of the sub-committee provided that it should review and make recommendations on the future composition and functions of the Seanad, in particular the Seanad's electoral system and role in the areas of legislation, parliamentary accountability, public policy and EU affairs. The sub-committee on Seanad reform published its report on Seanad reform in April 2004 which sets out a package of comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann. Many of these recommendations are radical and far-reaching.

The principal recommendations of the report propose that the Seanad be increased to 65 senators from 60 at present to include the automatic re-election of the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. Out of a total of 65 Senators, 32 would be directly elected and, as such, a universal franchise would be instituted. Under a list-proportional representation system, 26 of these seats would be filled from a single national constituency with a further six to be elected by a reformed higher education constituency, with graduates from all higher education institutes in the State being eligible to register.

Indirect election by local authority members would continue to be a feature and 20 Senators would be indirectly elected by county and city councillors, Deputies and Senators under the proportional representation-single transferable vote system, while 12 Senators would be nominated by the Taoiseach. The Seanad would be renewed on a rolling basis with direct elections, including the higher education constituency, taking place every five years on the same day as the European and local elections. Indirect elections and the Taoiseach's nominations would take place within 90 days after a Dáil election, similar to current practice.

While this was an agreed report, as recognised in the motion, it is less clear from my own experience in the all-party group that all-party consensus exists for the full set of recommendations.