Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

I refer to the issue we discussed yesterday, Deputy Kenny's proposal that the Seanad be abolished. I was disappointed I did not get an opportunity to contribute. It was a good and lively debate. I do not agree with Deputy Kenny's proposal to abolish the Seanad, although I strongly believe there is a necessity to reform the Seanad soon. However, what Deputy Kenny is proposing, that the future of this institution is put to the people in a constitutional referendum, makes sense to a certain extent. If this House is to have any legitimacy we need to know that the people of this country support us and believe the work we are doing is important.

A serious programme of reform must be carried out. Unfortunately, 11 reports have been produced in the past 60 or 70 years but none of their recommendations has been acted on. This is, as far as the public is concerned, evidence of complete political inaction on the issue of Seanad reform. If we are facing the possibility that there might be a Fine Gael-led Government in place at some point in the future and given that Deputy Kenny, as leader of Fine Gael, has committed himself to holding a referendum on this issue within the first year of that Government, the onus is on us now to move quickly and seriously on a programme of reform. Personally, I am impatient with the pace at which the process of Seanad reform has been undertaken. We must undertake this seriously and not just have superficial reform. We must examine serious issues such as offering the people an opportunity to directly elect Members of the Seanad, broadening the franchise for the university panel, the criteria under which the Taoiseach should nominate people to the Seanad and giving the Seanad a role in scrutinising European legislation as well as debating more European issues, thus providing a link between the public and Europe and encouraging greater public understanding of European policy and political developments.

Today we will discuss the European Union Bill. The programme for Government refers to the issue of extending voting rights to Irish people living outside Ireland for presidential elections. During the referendum campaign on the Lisbon treaty I was contacted by a number of Irish people working in Brussels and elsewhere for European institutions. They felt strongly that they should have a right to vote in European treaty referenda. They represent this country's interests and work hard on behalf of this country within European institutions. This is an issue we should examine. Will the Leader consider inviting the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House so we can put that proposition to him?