John Crown (Independent)

I confess that I am not from Mayo but my three children are half Mayo. The reason I mention this is that I am trying to use that influence with two famous Mayo parliamentarians who have proven somewhat elusive on issues on which I have sought clarification. One of them is the Taoiseach. Yet again over the weekend there was considerable speculation on the future of one half of our Parliament and about when a referendum would be held on its future. Now that this Oireachtas is in its second year and with the approach of the first anniversary of this Seanad, it is very important that the Taoiseach comes to the House, both as a courtesy to us and to impart information to the nation, and let us know what plans there are with respect to the proposed referendum to abolish the Seanad.

A constitutional convention is due to take place which will deal with a number of important issues. However, what can be more important to a constitution and a democratic government than the structure of its national parliament?