Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

In the seven and a half years I have been a Member there have been three Seanad reform debates per year on Private Members' business with an amendment to the motion. Tonight no amendment to this Private Members' motion has been tabled.

If members of the public were remotely and accurately informed about the level of debate, scrutiny and work done in this House, they would have much more confidence in our political system. Unfortunately, little more than lip-service is paid by many to the workings of the House. Senator Norris and other Members have mentioned how the media do not cover the proceedings of the House. He has never minded when I have often told him unless a Member is gay, a former president of the ICTU, a Sunday Independent business journalist or like some of the other fine Independent Senators, one can barely get a soundbite on "Oireachtas Report" and certainly not be covered elsewhere in the media. That is not to impugn the overwhelming contribution made by the mentioned Senators.