Seanad debates

Thursday, 15 September 2011

11:00 am

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent)

Tacaím go mór leis an méid a dúirt an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh maidir leis an gá atá ann díospóireacht a bheith againn faoi chúrsaí ealaíne agus cultúrtha. Bhí sé i gceist go mbeadh an díospóireacht sin ar siúl an tseachtain seo. Bheadh sé go maith dá mbeadh soiléiriú againn ó thaobh an dáta ar a mbeidh an díospóireacht sin againn. Thug mé faoi deara go bhfuair mé go leor teachtaireachtaí ó eagrais agus gluaiseachtaí éagsúla atá ag plé le cúrsaí ealaíne agus cultúrtha. Tá sé an-suimiúil go bhfuil suíomh idirlín, www.freagra.net, ar fáil d'éinne atá ag iarraidh leagan ceart Gaeilge a chur ar cibé teachtaireacht atá acu - comhartha siopa, nóta le dul i bpáipéar nó rud éigin eile. Is iontach an rud é go bhfuil seirbhísí den sórt seo ar fáil chun cabhrú le daoine Gaeilge snasta cruinn a chur ar cibé teachtaireacht atá acu. Tá súil agam go mbeidh deis againn acmhainní agus imeachtaí den sórt sin - tréaslaím leo - a phlé go luath.

I echo the concerns expressed about the shortening of debates on legislation in this House. This issue will be particularly acute when it is proposed to make changes by means of referendum. It seems we have got ourselves into a bad position. Certain proposals are the subject of a great deal of discussion outside the Dáil and the Seanad but very little time for debate is provided when they are raised in the Seanad. The various excuses we hear such as the fact that certain legislation has to be passed before the presidential election takes place on a particular date are not good enough. If it is proposed to take certain legislation at a certain point, I suggest there is no reason we cannot have a debate on the relevant issues in advance. This House has not had a substantial debate on the judges' pay referendum, or the proposal to reverse the Abbeylara judgment to widen the powers of Oireachtas committees. It is unacceptable that we will have a quick and rushed debate before the issue is put directly to the people. One way of overcoming this problem is to provide for debates on these issues before the relevant legislation comes before the House. That would demonstrate that the Government has a genuine interest in hearing the opinions of the Houses on its proposals.

Many have expressed concern about point-scoring. The people want us to start scoring a few goals. We cannot do this, unless we work together.

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