Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

It was for the purpose of clarity. As I did not get an opportunity on the last day on which the House sat, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. In addition, I congratulate my constituency colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, on being made Whip - a more affable man one could not meet. I also congratulate Senator Cummins on being made Leader of the House. He discussed the issue of Seanad reform and I suppose the system failed the people. Had the Government, the Dáil and the Seanad been working as they should, Ireland and its citizens would not find themselves in the present position, namely, in a dark place in which one can envisage a return to unemployment and emigration. One can envisage a return to the past in which citizens see a future not in Ireland but in another land.

Moreover, the future of this House is in doubt because people believe it is not fit for purpose. Then again, neither is the Dáil or the Government. The entire system failed the people and if the forthcoming referendum contains only one substantial proposal, namely, the abolition of the Seanad, that will not constitute reform. That will not prevent the type of catastrophe in which we now find ourselves.