Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I will make the criticism I tried to voice to Senator Quinn. The 1979 referendum was to allow the university vote to be extended to other third level colleges in the country. Many of the most articulate Senators in this House were from the university panels. Although there were six such Members in each Seanad, not of one of them drove that change, as voted for by the people. All political parties failed to deliver in that regard.

Debates and discussions in the Seanad are much more harmonious than in the Dáil and as such the Seanad does not excite the media. Debates in this House are not as personal, insulting or antagonistic and, as such, the Seanad does not make good television.

The 1937 Constitution allowed for two Ministers to be appointed from the Seanad. This was only done on one occasion by the late former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, when he appointed Professor Dooge as Minister, which I find frustrating and difficult to understand. Fine Gael, the Labour Party or Fianna Fáil could regularly, as provided for in the Constitution, appoint two Members of the Seanad to be Ministers. It is no wonder new Members are frustrated. One can only imagine the excitement had two Members of this House during the past few years been appointed Ministers. I would love to have been a Minister. I have business experience. I co-founded a business which now employs 350 people. I know about business.

First, it is important Senators remain in the House to hear the contributions of others.