Fiach MacConghail (Independent)

Yes, but I also have a question for you, a Chathaoirligh. On behalf of all of us, will you send a note of congratulations to the Irish Film Board for the two excellent performances?

I commend the Leader, who is on a sticky wicket regarding the debate around reform of Seanad Éireann. I commend the House for an excellent debate last week on job creation. Will the Leader set aside time without a Minister and without the media but within this Chamber before the end of February for a debate on what our ideas would be around Seanad reform? This should be without a vote and without a whip, and we may possibly be talking to ourselves because the media does not listen, but it will ensure that whatever our ideas might be, they will be on the record.

Ultimately, all we can do at present is to change around the deck-chairs on the Titanic. We cannot undertake radical reform because it is not within our remit or power and we do not have any constitutional ability to do that. However, we should put ourselves on the record, talking to ourselves, with the media listening to our ideas.

Many questions arise. Are we in favour of abolition? Are we in favour of reform? Do we think the electorate should have a right to vote and make a connection between what we are doing in this House-----