Feargal Quinn (Independent)

——but I suggest democracy will be damaged if we end up in a situation where we will have only one House. In the 18 years I have been a Member of this House I have seen mistakes made by the other House. I am sure mistakes have been made in this House also, but when the mistakes made in the other House were scrutinised here, democracy improved. We have been able to say to the Lower House that we corrected a mistake it made. Therefore, having only one Chamber that is often ruled by one party, in which the Whip is used to ensure there is no debate and Members do what they are told, will result in democracy being damaged. We should have a debate soon on the future of this House and I cannot think of a better time to have it than today. Senator John Crown has proposed that in the few hours during which there will be a gap in proceedings the Taoiseach should come to the House to give us his opinions on this subject and allow us to debate it.