John Crown (Independent)

——because people on both sides of the House must indicate what they believe to be the future of the Seanad and the say we should have in respect of it. In spirit, the Seanad is supposed to be different to the Dáil. I intend no disrespect to full-time politicians but the original idea was that individuals of a different skill set would become Members of this House. One of the reasons the Seanad has garnered its bad reputation is because the original idea to which I refer has been subverted by those full-time politicians and used for purposes other than bringing in Members with a variety of skills at their disposal.

I am of the view that a certain discipline in conducting the hours of business of this House is essential. It is regrettable that those hours have been changed this week and that we are to have a sos of several hours' duration following the Order of Business.