Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Tréaslaím leis an gCathaoirleach ar a cheapachán mar Chathaoirleach. Gan aon amhras, glacaim go bhfuil cuirtéis faoi leith ag baint leis an Seanadóir. Ag an am céanna, thug mé faoi deara go minic gur sheas an Seanadóir an fód nuair a bhí gá leis agus go raibh neart ann. Táim cinnte go mbeidh ar a chumas smacht a choimeád orainn anseo nuair a bheidh tuairimí éagsúla á phlé. Tá súil agam go leanfaimid ar aghaidh leis na tuairimí éagsúla sin. Ní cóir agus ní gá go mbeadh gach Seanadóir ar aon fhocal sa Teach seo. Cabhródh sé go mór le stádas an tSeanaid dá mbeadh tuairimí faoi leith ag teacht trasna agus dá bhféadfadh muid iad sin a phlé agus ómós agus meas a bheith againn ar thuairim gach duine sa Teach.

There is no doubt in my mind the Cathaoirleach will be able to bring discipline to the House in the many diverse debates we will have. We should underscore the idea of diverse debates because they are essential to the Seanad. We have the future of Seanad Éireann in our hands. When the photograph of Senators was taken outside on the plinth, there was a greater sense of expectation. I certainly believe the House has a very exciting and constructive composition.

It would be wrong to take the honour and glory and not endeavour to reform the House. While we have this honour we are here at the behest of the people. In the past, the Seanad has given a voice to those who had none. I have seen this on many occasions, especially in the area of human rights. We have always had Senators prepared to put their heads above the parapet, even if it did not always seem to be politically correct. At times, we did not toe the line of the international powers which is very often imposed on us. I recall one occasion in the House when I spoke on the invasion of Iraq.

Simply because I took a different line to Government, as I did on each occasion I spoke on that, I got a call from a journalist who asked me if I was given a rap on the knuckles from Fianna Fáil for having done so. I asked why should I be given a rap on the knuckles. In many ways, those of us who took that line at that time have been proved correct.

In the same way, we gave a voice to the Palestinians when they did not have one. We saw what happened in the Gaza Strip where inhuman things were being done to those people and where people were starving. Some of us were prepared to give them a voice. I am glad to say I see movement in the right direction.

In many ways, we can learn from our legacy and history when it comes to the North of Ireland. I am delighted Sinn Féin is playing a full role not only in the life of the Seanad but in that of the Dáil and in the same way it has played a full role in the North of Ireland. We owe it a huge debt of gratitude. When no one gave a voice to the Nationalists in the North, Sinn Féin gave them one. We must now work in the new Ireland.

There are opportunities for this House not to be always politically correct in a contrived manner but to speak out openly and be tolerant towards the views of others. If people are weary of the Seanad, perhaps there are reasons for that. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Taoiseach for raising the issue in a proactive manner because it made us stop and think. Was the Seanad operating in the manner in which it was intended? I do not believe it was.

I am delighted with Taoiseach's 11 nominees who come from important backgrounds and have great experience. That is what people have been looking for. I hope they too will put their heads above the parapet on issues which arise in this House.

We should not be seen as in some way subservient to Dáil Éireann. It is often overlooked but in one term, more than 37 Bills were initiated in this House. Major legislation to harmonise copyright law was initiated in this House. Sometimes the impression is given that we only rubber-stamp legislation from the Dáil. Hundreds, if not thousands, of amendments tabled in this House were accepted and some made very fundamental changes to proposed legislation. The only way we can do that is if this House is respected as an important House of Parliament and if the Dáil keeps in mind that we are not here for the reasons put forward in the past.

We are not here to gain seats in Dáil Éireann and to have a pension when we retire. As with many Deputies and county councillors, many Senators went into public life because they had a vision and a belief and wanted to give service to the people. Sometimes that may be diluted and misrepresented but, fundamentally, those who become Members of this House want to give service and we must facilitate them in doing so. The House may need reform to do that.

There have been ten reports on reform of Seanad Éireann which are lying on shelves somewhere and which are perhaps well past their sell-by date. I support the concept of at least starting with the last report because the input into it was comprehensive, extensive and well thought out.

I say céad míle fáilte to the new Senators. I have no doubt that they will find this an exhilarating experience. I compliment the Cathaoirleach, the Leader and all the new officers of this House. No matter how long the current Government lasts - it will probably be a long time - I am fairly certain that at the end of the term of this Seanad, people will see it in a totally different way. One should bear in mind that the last survey done away from the heat of the general election showed 50% in favour of retaining the Seanad. I believe that will change gradually as we prove once again, with the support and help of everyone here, the importance of the Upper House in the Oireachtas. As much as we can, let us try to leave partisanship to one side and ensure personalities do not become dominant in the debate because that is not productive.

Two issues stood out where unanimity was secured in this House. The first was on the 20-year strategy for the Irish language and the second was looking for official working status for the Irish language in Europe against all the odds. The more we see of that, having expressed our diverse views, the better the Seanad and the country will be.

Arís, a Chathaoirligh, comhghairdeas leat agus go raibh rath Dé ar do dhualgaisí i gcónaí.