Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Like other colleagues, I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank him for his forbearance in listening to this and look forward to hearing his contribution.

In line with colleagues, I very much welcome this motion, which is practical, useful and ties in totally with the aims, goals and objectives of all of us in this new Seanad. It is in line with every Member's view and thinking. The amendment, of which I am supportive, is only the slightest of an amendment. As Senator Cummins said, it was tabled merely to structure the proposals involved, and that will be easily done. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges, at its meeting this morning, even agreed on the speed with which it will tackle this, and Senator Cummins has given voice to that this evening and also to dealing with the petitions committee, which will also be done speedily.

I was particularly taken by the portion of the motion which refers to respectful North-South dialogue that would consolidate the peace process in Northern Ireland, develop a dividend for all the communities - those communities who have been so hurt by the divisions and conflicts of the past - and deepen cross-Border relationships. That is very constructive because down here we have often acted too much in isolation without concern for the people with whom we share the island of Ireland. I very much welcome that part of the motion. It is very positive.

I was very taken with the contributions of the proposer and seconder of the motion, Senators Zappone and Mac Conghail, and by what the latter said about cultural links and the constantly changing and innovating ways in which he in his line of work has to perform. Surely that is something we have to take on board in our work, of which we are now very conscious. The concept of having a citizen's hour was mentioned by a previous speaker and perhaps that could develop from our Order of Business. I have no doubt that Senator Cummins will have the Committee on Procedure and Privileges deal with that efficiently and well. Senator Tom Sheahan also referred to that. We have started well in that we are greatly shortening the summer recess. This Seanad will be, and perhaps already is, more efficient and will be even more so, and this Chamber will more effective as time goes on.

For all those reasons and more, I greatly welcome the motion. I look forward, in the role I now have, to contributing actively to providing those improvements both in Chamber and through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.