Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

Stakeholders from political parties and the general public will be there. This House has shown in this term the changes that can be made to the Seanad under existing Standing Orders and has demonstrated the relevant role the Seanad has in the legislative process. It is timely to have this debate now before the constitutional convention starts. If the convention starts without Seanad reform included as part of it, Seanad reform will not happen and we will move towards a referendum next year which will simply require a "Yes" or "No" response on the question of the abolition of the House. I ask colleagues from across the House to show confidence and support the Seanad standing up for itself and to call on the Government to include Seanad reform in the constitutional convention. I propose that motion No. 9 be taken before the first business today.