Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I want us to move in completely the opposite direction in terms of Seanad reform. The House should be abolished, but there is no political will to take the bull by the horns and deal with the matter. Since the foundation of the State, numerous reports on Seanad reform have been forthcoming. However, they have never been acted upon. The result of the referendum held in 1979 has never been given legislative effect by successive Governments.

A number of statements have been made recently which have added to the distrust of those involved in politics. When the second largest party in the State indicates that it intends to abolish the Seanad and then introduces legislation to extend the franchise relating to nominating bodies to a group of elected members, it is obvious that such behaviour will give rise to grave mistrust among members of the public. There is a need for honest politics. The mechanism proposed in this legislation is wrong. We need to deal with the core issues by discussing how the Seanad is elected. We also need to bring democracy to the House by allowing all citizens - regardless of whether they live in the country - to vote in Seanad elections. Sinn Féin has long argued that people of the age of 16 years and over should be able to vote in Seanad elections, either by registering here or at the nearest Irish Embassy if living abroad.

We must also ensure duplication no longer holds sway. With the exception of those on the Independent benches, is there a real chance that anyone elected from one of the sectoral panels could be considered truly independent? The answer is "No." Politicians have, under the powers granted to them in the Constitution, made laws which dictate that the membership of Seanad Éireann will be elected by elected politicians. This system is dominated by the political parties and is completely and utterly flawed.

The legislation before the House would take us down the road of strengthening the inequality and lack of democracy which lie at the core of the Seanad. The reason for the distaste among members of the public for the Seanad is the duplication of work between it and the Dáil and also the fundamental lack of democracy and the fact that the House is elitist. When I was a councillor, sitting Senators used to send me neck ties, boxes of chocolates, calendars, etc. This practice continues today. Councillors from my party and others have been sent DVDs and scarves and other items. That is completely ridiculous. A Senator knows that if he or she keeps 100 councillors happy, he or she will have a job for life. It is a good job because he or she will be paid €70,000 per annum and receive a good pension. In addition, he or she will be able to park on this campus for the remainder of his or her life, regardless of whether he or she continues to serve as a Member. In reality, one does not need to represent a constituency because Senators do not have constituencies.

I agree with the comment expressed by the Minister of State to the effect that piecemeal change is not what is required. There is a need - if there is the political in this regard - for fundamental and radical change if the Seanad is to be restructured and made into a modern institution which can serve Irish society in the 21st century. I do not believe there is the will for such change among the major political parties. It is for this reason I believe the House should be abolished.

I question the sincerity of the Fine Gael Party on this issue, particularly in view of the legislation it has introduced. I have no doubt that the leader of that party which made such an issue out of abolishing the House has endorsed this legislation.