Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Senator Leyden's opening comments on the reference in yesterday's budget speech on the future of the Seanad, as well as Senator Mullen's comments. In all the discussion on abolition and reform, the Members of this House over the past few decades have taken it upon themselves to initiate a variety of debates that have culminated in a stack of reports with very positive proposals on how this Seanad could be more reflective of life outside it. If there has been no reform, that has not been the fault of the elected Senate, but rather the fault of successive Governments that have failed to grasp the need for reform of the Senate. Senator Leyden is right to paraphrase the former Minister, Michael McDowell, talking about his own party in saying we must be radical or redundant. I would welcome any initiative the Leader, even at this stage, could bring forward that would inform the public. If it was suggested that the Dáil would be abolished, I guarantee the public would vote for it. That could be followed by the Presidency and then we could get rid of the local authorities. We can go down this road if we wish but at the end of the day there must be some loyalty to the democratic institutions of the State. If there is to be further debate on the future of the Seanad, it must take account of the various reports that have been done, the most recent of which was carried out under the former Leader of the House, Deputy O'Rourke, which contained far-reaching proposals. Governments have ignored it, however, and now it is turning around with a populist, knee-jerk reaction to suggest the Seanad should be let go. Of course the public would be happy to abolish this House. They would abolish everything and I do not blame them, but they must be informed.

Yesterday was a sad day. Traditionally budget day was a day of some spectacle, and I use the word advisedly. Yesterday we saw massed ranks of gardaí both in front of and behind the House. People are fully entitled to protest, it is right and proper they do so, and we all know and appreciate the anger, pain and hurt being felt by those who are struggling with families. God knows, it is not too far from my own door or those others of us who face an uncertain future. I wish to record, however, my appreciation of the behaviour of the gardaí yesterday, where they adhered to their oath to uphold the institutions of the State. This House should express its thanks to the Garda Commissioner for the manner in which the Garda Síochána carried out its duties yesterday.