Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

There is a commitment in the programme for Government that we look at the electoral system as a whole not just Seanad reform. I accept that Seanad reform is important but in and of itself it is just an easy target. It will not solve any of the problems of this country. The debate should begin on the electoral system as a whole. Will the Leader consider a rolling debate, be it one day a week for X amount of time until everyone in this House has had a chance to make a contribution? At the end of those contributions we could collate them into a report. The debate should be about how our electoral system should serve this country, not the Members of this House or the other House. We are at a watershed. A referendum is due in the next year or two. Let us offer something real. At the end of the process it would be great if, in addition to the report I propose, some of those contributions could be covered by the broadcasting unit and RTE. The people need to be truly informed to make the decision.