Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt dos na Seanadóirí a labhair ar an rún tábhachtach seo go dtí seo. Tuigim gur seo ceann des na céad rúin i Ghnó Chomhaltaí Príobháideacha a bhí agaibh ins an tSeanad úr. Léiríonn sé go bhfuil suim ag na Seanadóirí ó gach taobh den Teach i leasú a dhéanamh ar an chóras pholaitíochta agus, chomh maith, b'fhéidir leasú a dhéanamh ar an tSeanad féin. Sílim gur maith an rud é sin.

The fact that one of the first issues debated at Private Members' time in the new Seanad is a motion on Seanad reform clearly indicates a new willingness on the part of the Members of this House to engage with the issue of political reform. The fact that the only amendment the Government side has made to the motion is that the proposal be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges displays a willingness on the part of this Government to engage with groups interested in working towards political reform.

The results of last February's general election clearly displayed a shift in public support from those with a history of opposition to political reform towards the parties that proposed detailed plans for the radical reform of our political system. The Fine Gael-Labour Party programme for Government sets out an ambitious and comprehensive programme for political reform across a number of areas, of which Oireachtas reform is part.

Some of our commitments on Oireachtas reform have already been addressed. The programme for Government outlined the intention to increase the number of sitting days by 50%. The Government has already reduced the Easter recess, removed bank holidays breaks and shortened the summer recess by four weeks. The programme for Government outlines plans to reform the Oireachtas committee system. The number of committees in this Oireachtas has been reduced to allow the committee system work more effectively. Savings of an estimated 35% on the cost of running committees last year have been achieved. The new committees will be stronger and will bring real focus to the areas they cover. They will be properly resourced to carry out their functions. We have established a Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions which will be chaired by a member of the Opposition. This is a strong addition to the committee system. Irish MEPs will have an opportunity to attend and contribute to Oireachtas committees.

While this is not a debate on Seanad abolition and I do not want that issue to dominate this debate to the detriment of some of the good proposals put forward in this motion, it is important to acknowledge the Government's proposals in this area. The Government has committed to reducing the size of the Oireachtas significantly by reducing the number of Members in the Dáil and putting before the people a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. When as Leader of the Opposition, the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, announced that in Government he would give people an opportunity to vote on abolishing the Seanad, many doubted his commitment. Within 18 months the other main political parties were in agreement with the policy. Now, it is in the programme for Government and next year people will be given the opportunity to vote on the issue. It is not within the power of any Government or political party to abolish the Seanad. It is for the people and them alone to remove it from the Constitution. In the course of next year the Government will put a referendum before the people asking them to remove the Seanad from the Constitution, a decision by which this Government will be bound. There will be sufficient opportunity to debate that issue in the weeks and months before the referendum is held. I want to use the remainder of my time in this debate to address the reform proposals outlined in this motion.

Many might have thought that a Government committed to abolishing the Seanad would have little or no interest in reforming it. That is not the case. The Government wants to see this Seanad become the most effective and efficient in the history of this institution. The Taoiseach's 11 appointed Senators were a break with the past. The appointments were used to appoint a number of genuine independent thinkers from outside the political system, people who could bring a new perspective to debate within this Chamber, and today's motion is an indication of this.

The Government is broadly supportive of the proposals for changing the way that the Seanad conducts its business, as set out by the Independent group in its motion. There can be little doubt among anyone, even the Members of this House, that the Seanad needs to change. The recommendations contained in this motion would have a major impact on the way the Seanad conducts its business.

The motion calls for arrangements to be put in place to allow the Seanad engage directly with citizens and residents from all walks of life whose experience and expertise can contribute to debates and add considerable value to the work of Senators as legislators. This may provide an opportunity to encourage active citizenship and allow citizens engage more with the political system. The petitions element of the new Oireachtas Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions also aims at encouraging such active citizenship.

The motion seeks the power to invite to the floor of the Seanad, on a case-by-case basis, leaders and representatives of civic life who have a significant contribution to make to issues before this House. Such a development may see the Seanad being used as a forum for those whose voices deserve to be heard, but care would need to be taken to prevent such a forum being abused.

The motion believes it is possible to host North-South dialogue that consolidates the peace process, develops a peace dividend for all communities affected by the conflict, deepens cross-Border relationships and promotes a shared approach to the significant centenaries that will arise in the next decade. Such a proposal may provide a way whereby the two traditions on this island could develop closer bonds and move towards a better understanding of each other. The centenaries that are fast approaching should be seen as celebrations of our shared history, not as battlegrounds for the political beliefs that divide us.

The Government believes there is merit in the proposals contained in this motion. The procedures within the Seanad have to be agreed by the Members, which is why we believe these proposals should be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges at the earliest opportunity. Seanad reform is, of course, the shared responsibility of every Member of this House. Senators of all political parties and none should have an active interest in this area. I hope the members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges review the proposals contained within this motion with an open mind and consider how the Seanad could benefit from the changes recommended.

I know that in the course of the contributions today and those to follow next week from Members of this House we will see the concept of shared responsibility for Seanad reform embraced in full. At some stage next year, the people will decide if this is to be the last Seanad. Regardless of the outcome of that referendum, the Members of this Seanad should strive to make this the best Seanad. I have no doubt that this will be the case. Having listened to the contributions today from those Senators who have been elected and those who have been nominated, I am sure it will be an exciting, constructive and positive Seanad. Guím gach rath ar an Seanad sa tréimhse atá amach roimhe.