Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State's reputation for his diligent constituency work and his national profile speaks for itself. I agree with the broad thrust of Senator Power's arguments. Our political system is not fit for purpose and has not worked for the past 24 years. The Irish experience of national politicians working on issues that should be done by a local councillor is unique to Europe if not international political systems. Deputies' offices have for years been letter-writing factories. For example, someone who gets planning permission will get a letter from their Deputy telling them he is delighted they got it and to contact him if he can be of any further assistance to them. That type of politics should be confined to history. Until we change our political system, however, that will be the type of politics we will have.

Ours is a clientelist political structure. Proportional representation through the single transferable vote, PR-STV, is the purest form of proportional representation. The problem, however, arises with multiple seat constituencies. Not only are candidates fighting among themselves but the internal party battles are legendary.

The constitutional convention that forms part of the programme for Government has considerable merit in terms of doing the right thing. If we can return to the electorate in five years having at least started to reform the political system, it will be a significant achievement.

The decision by the Acting Chairman, Senator Quinn, who has vast business experience, to enter political life some years ago gave politics a boost. He contributes regularly to the House. This is the type of politics we need in this House and the other House. We will not do the right thing by people unless we wake up and realise that some form of list system is needed to enable the political parties to bring in and promote external expertise.

Senator Cullinane's amendment proposing to link personal public service numbers to the electoral register is a good idea. The problem, however, is that the PPS system is flawed. It is bizarre that the number of PPS numbers issued exceeds the population by more than 1 million. We must first review how PPS numbers are reviewed before making the necessary and worthwhile investment to create an intrinsic link between the register of electors and the personal public service number system. It should be noted, however, that the register of electors is archaic and not fit for purpose. The measures taken some two years ago to update and improve the register made matters worse.

The legislation may be a drop in the ocean but it will have a ripple effect as it shows that political reform has moved to the heart of the business of this House and the other House. It has also been enshrined in the programme for Government. The Bill makes small changes which the vast majority of people support. Achieving this end in the first term is a credit to the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, and Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. I look forward to more substantial political reform.