Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Why is reform of Seanad Éireann not on the agenda for this session? Nothing concentrates the minds of Senators more than the gallows or guillotine, which is what faced us up to a few weeks ago but for the timely intervention of Senator Boyle, chairman of the Green Party. Has the Leader examined in detail the report produced by the sub-committee on Seanad reform chaired by former Leader and Member of this House, Deputy O'Rourke and other Members and former Members, including Senator O'Toole, former Senator Dardis and Deputy Brian Hayes, on the reform of Seanad Éireann which states that Seanad Éireann makes a useful contribution to the democratic life of this State and that the savings achieved by its abolition could be achieved by other means. The report also refers to the effect on joint committees of the abolition of the Seanad and so on.

Mr. Noel Whelan also made the point that in reality a single Chamber would only enhance the Executive dominance of our politics.