John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the subject of Seanad reform. I was first elected to this House in 1977 under the panel system. I returned to it in 2007 as a Taoiseach's nominee. Therefore, I have seen it from both sides. I am strongly of the view that there is room for reform. However, are we talking about real reform or merely reform of the panel system and the other methods of election and selection?

There have been suggestions that membership of the Seanad should increase to 65. Electoral commissions have had the opportunity to increase the size of the Dáil from 166 to 168 Members in the last two or three revisions but have decided not to do so. The reason is that the public has no appetite for an increase in numbers. Likewise, I expect there is no appetite for an increase in Seanad numbers. If such a proposal were put to the public in a referendum, it would be absolutely hammered.