Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

We welcome the Government support for Deputy McGrath's Bill on scrap metals and I hope the Government parties will also support our leader, Deputy Martin, who has a Bill relating to corporate donations. That issue was mentioned in Fine Gael and Labour Party policy pledges and we expect the parties to live up not only to their promises but the recommendations of the Moriarty tribunal. Unfortunately, they have been completely ignored by Fine Gael.

I will speak on something far more important and which goes to what we are as a Parliament and Seanad. There is talk of abolishing the Seanad and it should be abolished immediately if we are to proceed with the Leader's proposal today to deal with No. 1 on the Order Paper without debate. The motion relates to the Smithwick tribunal and its extension. Dáil Éireann has had a debate but Seanad Éireann, with the Leader under the instruction of the Minister for Justice and Equality, has been refused a debate.

We had a significant debate on the matter in June and the Minister, Deputy Shatter, was shown to have withheld vital documentation from the Houses. Judge Smithwick told the Minister that his imposition of a deadline, which we alleged at the time was done for political purposes, was a major threat to the continuation of the tribunal. We should not forget that this tribunal is like the A5 road in that it comes from an international agreement at St. Andrew's. It involves British-Irish agreements and North-South relations.

If Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators are happy for this motion to go before the House without debate, I urge them to put down a Bill with a constitutional amendment to abolish the Seanad. There is no point having a Seanad if matters of international importance are not discussed. This matter was debated in the Dáil and the Seanad has an equal function, as both Houses must approve the motion. If we cannot have such a debate, what is the point of having this House? Government backbenchers who will oppose my amendment are allowing this Chamber to become a rubber stamp, and if they are happy with that, we should just abolish the Seanad.

I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business that one hour of debate be provided for No. 1 on today's Order Paper. I urge Government Senators to support this. The Dáil had its opportunity and the Seanad is entitled to the same treatment. We have the same role as the Dáil in passing this motion.