Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Fáiltím roimh an rún seo agus tá áthas orm go bhfuil sé ag tarlú chomh luath i saol an tSeanaid seo. Tugaim faoi ndeara nuair a thagaimid isteach gach maidin, cé nach mbíonn mórán ama againn ar an Ord Gnó, go mbíonn tuairimí ag teacht chun tosaigh an t-am ar fad agus gur féidir linn, mar Sheanadóirí, féachaint conas is féidir feabhas a chur ar obair an tSeanaid féin. Fiú nach raibh sin ag tarlú taobh istigh den tSeanad, tá sé le clos amuigh ins na meáin cumarsáide le tamall fada anuas, go mórmhór ar an raidió agus ar an teilifís.

Tá súil agam go mbeidh an rún seo á phlé againn agus tuairimí éagsúla agus difriúla á lua. Tá súil agam freisin go mbeidh leanúnachas ann. Molaim go mór na Seanadóirí Neamhspleácha agus tá súil agam go mbeidh siad in ann leanúint ar aghaidh leis an bpróiséas seo, mar próiséas céimiúil atá ann, dar ndóigh. D'fhéadfaimís an-dul chun cinn a dhéanamh i saol an tSeanaid seo.

Tá súil agam freisin go mbeidh seans ag an Coiste um Nós Imeachta agus Pribhléidí, cé nach bhfuil mé féin ar an gcoiste sin anois, féachaint conas is féidir athstruchtúrú a dhéanamh ar an gCoiste um Nós Imeachta agus Pribhléidí féin. Tá gá le sin a dhéanamh chun an rún seo a chur chun tosaigh.

I greatly welcome this motion and am pleased it has been tabled so soon in the life of this Seanad because with something new, I always have the impression that when the newness wears off, part of the enthusiasm might also be diluted. I salute the Independent Senators for having come forward so quickly. The motion itself is quite specific and focused, which I also consider to be important. A debate rightly is under way on Seanad reform and I agree with Senator Mac Conghail regarding the last report because I believe one must build on the consultation that took place at that time. Some might state it was not radical enough and others might suggest it was too radical but the important point is that broad consultation took place and members of the public were given the opportunity of putting forward their views. The committee which met to produce the report included members who had wide experience of the Oireachtas in general and, by using the report as the basic document, Members might be able to save some time.

This motion is more specific than that. It is about using the Seanad in its present form in the most productive, positive and transparent way possible. In the past, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges has considered the petitions system as one way of giving people an opportunity to interact with the Seanad. This system would mean a contact not at a distance, not by means of a letter and not by watching "Oireachtas Report". It might be one of the areas that could be expedited at this time. There is a model available in other countries for the petition system and it is well worthwhile. I ask the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to consider how far advanced that model is because it is tangible and could be introduced quickly. An explanation of how the system works and the parameters within which it operates would be required but I ask the CPP to consider it.

I know the Leader and the CPP will not regard it as being somewhat bold on my part to suggest that perhaps the CPP might look at its own operations as well, in conjunction with the motion which has been put forward. The CPP is the key to the implementation of this motion. Any morning on the Order of Business, when we have suggested inviting someone into the Seanad in some role, whether for participation in a question and answer session or to address the House, we were always told that this was a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It is therefore important to look at the CPP first of all. I looked very closely at the Leader to see if in some way he agreed with me. He did not nod his head but I know he is a man of vast experience and he is also well aware, having sat on this side of the Chamber, of the need for change. I know the House is in pretty good hands.

I will take a few steps back from the motion to take a broad look at the state of the country. I noticed a sea-change in thinking, in debates and in articles since we first became aware of the recession. It was like a shock to the system of the whole nation. As a result, people started to think and reflect just a little more on how the country operates, how the wheels are oiled, how the engine turns over. This motion reflects that sea-change. We would not do any credit to this auspicious assembly if we knew that this type of change had happened, that there were new requirements, new demands and new ideas and we did not reflect this within the Chamber. If we have to depend on television programmes to have that debate, then there is something radically wrong with us as legislators. We have to take that on board. In fact, I have often watched some of the television programmes and I think we have a very high standard in that regard. However, if we start at community level, we know the strengths we have; we know the extent of volunteerism; we know the efforts being made by people to re-position themselves.

There are opportunities to interact with the public in spite of the constraints. It is not sufficient in itself to say each time that we are bound by those constraints because if there is a sea-change in society, that same sea-change should be within the Legislature itself. It never came home more to me than in a debate in the House on a motion to do with 1916 and Moore Street. I looked back at the Visitors' Gallery and all the descendants of the 1916 leaders were sitting silently because they could not interact with us. This cannot be right. There was a sense of history in the Chamber. I went to the Visitors' Gallery subsequently to talk to them and I felt ashamed that this was the way we were dealing with these people when they were prepared to come in here.

I did not realise the time was so short but I ask the Leader to consider in the future to allow a little longer on a private Members' motion. I compliment the Independent Senators. I am quite sure they will keep up the momentum and I also hope there will be a report to the House from the CPP in the very near future.