Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I thank the Members for their contributions to the Bill. I find it extraordinary that the Government will vote against this Bill, as outlined in the Minister of State's opening remarks. I find it extraordinary that about 12 months ago it was agreed unanimously by all present at an all-party meeting, including the Minister, that the Bill would form part of his proposals on Seanad reform. He rushed the all-party meeting last October because he wanted to have his proposals out by last Christmas. We had two or three all-party meetings and we agreed on a number of proposals. Christmas has come and gone, we are nearly at another Christmas, and we have seen no sign of Seanad reform.

This Bill was introduced and has been on the Order Paper since 2008. When people inquire about my party's policy on Seanad Éireann, they will find the Bill was proposed in 2008 at a time when we had legitimate proposals for the reform of the Seanad which have not been acted upon by the Government despite all the promises. We have had numerous reports agreed by all parties. Even in the last Seanad a report that was agreed with the two leaders of the main parties in the House at the time, Deputies O'Rourke and Hayes, and in which all parties took part was shelved, as have all the others. I was very surprised that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, after the meeting in October last year and having stated that he would publish the White Paper by last Christmas, reneged on those responsibilities and commitments.

I agree totally with the assertion of the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, that legislation should not be introduced piecemeal. When an anomaly exists, however, whereby two of the representative associations have a nomination to the administrative panel but not LAMA, which came into existence after the original Act, the only way to proceed is to address the anomaly and bring them all under the authority of the Act, as this Bill proposes to do. The purpose of the Bill is to correct this anomaly. I did not think we would have disagreement from the Government. I am very surprised that we have disagreement on this short Bill when it is agreed that there is an anomaly in the legislation and that the Government is not prepared to plug the gap. Whether this legislation is accepted, it will certainly not bring down the Government, but I would have thought common sense would come into it. We will have another debate later on Seanad reform, but that is another day's work.

Like Senator Daly and Senator McCarthy of the Labour Party, I attended the Local Authority Members Association annual conference in Listowel recently. The Leader of the House gave an undertaking that the Bill would be dealt with in the House and told the conference that we would receive Government support for it, but, like the snows of last winter, that support has vanished. It is extraordinary that the Government and Fianna Fáil Members cannot stand up and be counted, as they agree with the Bill in principle. What is preventing them from voting for it? I certainly agree it is piecemeal legislation, but the Government has failed to bring forward any proposals on Seanad reform, despite the meetings held last year about which I spoke.

I still appeal to Members to support the Bill to address the anomaly identified. I hope Fianna Fáil and Green Party Members will reconsider their positions. The Bill would address a wrong which Members on the other side of the House have acknowledged, but they are not prepared to right it, although they have an opportunity to do so now. I still appeal to them to grasp the nettle and support this short Bill to correct an anomaly in the existing legislation.