Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I support Senator O'Toole comments on Seanad reform. He is absolutely right to say it is unacceptable that the graduates of colleges, other than those of the NUI and Trinity, are not eligible to vote in Seanad elections. We need to examine a wider reform in this regard. Under our Constitution, it is possible to bring forward legislation governing the way in which the vocational panels are elected as well. We must grasp the nettle in this respect. It is embarrassing, especially when it comes to the university seats, to canvass people whose degrees are as good as anyone else's but who cannot vote because of an antiquated system. It is to the Government's discredit that there has been no movement on this.

It is becoming the fashion for Senators to have recourse to the courts or various tribunals, and that can only be a good thing. Some of my more junior colleagues in the Law Library will be glad of any business coming their way, especially from the more well-heeled Senators. I encourage that.

I saw John Giles receiving well-deserved tributes on "The Late Late Show" last Friday evening. A number of his family and friends from England were there, some of whom were wearing the poppy. There was no difference between them. They were all friends and had the same cultural experiences and backgrounds. I felt glad that they were there and were so attired. I would not wear a poppy myself unless I had a particularly thick pin-striped suit to go with it. That is not out of any hostility towards what the poppy represents.