John Crown (Independent)

I echo the remarks about Dr. Robinson's achievements and, as somebody who was a member of the diaspora when she was President, I experienced a surge of pride in the Irish community when somebody who had been as outward looking, internationalist and mould breaking in the context of Irish politics had been elected to the position.

I am fascinated and impressed by her commitment to spreading democracy. Has she given thought to the current threats to democracy? I am worried and part of my worry stems from the fact that in many mature, established democracies such as ours we have become somewhat complacent. We have not had the experience of not knowing what it is like to live in a democracy or the more direct experience of living in a polity that is not democratic. We sometimes blithely assume that even if we show an ongoing level of disrespect for our democracy, it will always be there. I do not necessarily believe there is an inevitability about that.

I draw her attention to two specific rights issues that she might endorse in this phase of her career. I have, perhaps indelicately on a number of occasions, when Ministers or other guests were sitting in her chair and they were doing a wonderful, vigorous and outstanding job, reminded them that they had passed the mandatory age of retirement. I would never be so indelicate as to personalise this in Dr. Robinson's case but I had to politely remind a number of Ministers and other high achievers who sat in her seat that if they had been in the health service or other parts of the public service, they would have been subject to mandatory retirement and, in effect, denied the right to continue working if they wished to do so. I was equally intrigued to go through the list of the wonderful older people who continue to contribute, including Nelson Mandela, 95, Desmond Tutu, 81, and Jimmy Carter, 87. We are cutting off our noses to spite our face if we think that in future we will not be able to tap into the expertise of such people bring.

One of the most fundamental rights deficiencies in this country is citizens not having the right to elect Members of this House. It is an affront to democracy. I believe, for complex reasons I should not go into now, that a fine argument can be advanced for bicameral representation but there is a clear need for people of vision and experience who have worked within our system and who have examined other systems to advocate for more fundamental constitutional and Oireachtas reform because whatever mess we find ourselves in now and whatever blame can be laid at the door of the Government, little of it can be laid at the door of this House, which, at worst, was asleep at the tiller while errors and sins of commission were perpetrated by successive Governments and Dáileanna.

Would Dr. Robinson consider taking on a position of public advocacy for a more nuanced, comprehensive vision of Oireachtas reform and not merely a "Yes or No, let's abolish it" forum? It must be recalled that 38 esteemed and respected Members are either members of political parties or were nominated by the leaders of parties that are committed to the abolition of the House. For us to discuss today how the Seanad can be made a little more worthwhile is a little like going to the stereotypical character on death row in Alabama who has had his last meal but has not yet been executed and asking how the last few hours of his life could be made more relevant to the rest of society. Should we think about a more healthy and long-term future for a thoroughly reformed Oireachtas?

I very much thank Dr. Robinson for what she has done for our generation and generations to come.