Fiach MacConghail (Independent)

While I am afraid I was not present at the discussion last night on the future of the Seanad, I remind Members that they had considered the idea of inviting leaders of civil society to this Chamber on a regular basis to inform and to share information with them. One of the Seanad's difficulties is that it is not fully democratic. I am a nominated Senator and consequently can speak for this. I acknowledge it is democratic in the manner in which people are voted and elected into the House but it is not a universal franchise. While Members await the debate on the Seanad's abolition or reform, they should continue to engage with civil society. Consequently, I call on the Leader and in particular on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in this regard. The Independent group of Senators submitted several names from various strata of civil society to be invited into the House to share some of their thoughts on particular issues. If I recall correctly, as Members approach the first anniversary of the present Seanad's establishment, only three individuals have appeared in the House, namely, former Senator and President, Mary Robinson, former Senator Maurice Manning and President Buzek of the European Parliament.

I call on the Leader to invite to the House the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to update Members on the critical review of the amalgamations and mergers of State agencies and quangos. While I do not necessarily contest that some of this must happen, there is uncertainty in the area of culture and the arts in particular. For example, Culture Ireland is under critical review and there is talk of amalgamating the National Archives and the National Library. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, should be invited to the House to facilitate a discussion on the context of the critical review and on whether it is based on saving money, on simply cutting quangos or on creating effectiveness. I call for the Minister to have a debate with Members on the status of the critical review of the amalgamations.