David Norris (Independent)

I ask the Leader for a debate on the functioning of democracy here. The Seanad and the Dáil are under review, which is proper, but there is very little in any of this about the participation of the people. Most of the ills, economic and social, not just in Ireland, come from the fact that the preservation of the system and the interests of the establishment have been put firmly above the welfare of the people. That is the wrong order. This affects all our institutions from the local to the highest office in the land. Seanad Éireann is the place where we should have that discussion of ideas to bring the people of Ireland fully in at this difficult time.