Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am grateful to the Senator for raising it in this House as it is important.

Finally, I thank all those who attended a seminar last night on the future of the Seanad organised by the classics department in Trinity College. It was a worthwhile event chaired by a former Leader of the Seanad, Maurice Manning, and was part of a process that Members must help to initiate in the Seanad. Members must ensure that whenever the referendum on the future of the Seanad takes place, like that on the fiscal compact treaty, it will be preceded by an informed debate. Last night's seminar, at which attendees heard various contributions about the history and context of the idea of an upper house, should feed into any debate on this issue. I again thank the many colleagues who came along to attend.