Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

It has displayed a legislative vision as well. It is difficult to understand why this House is being given just one hour to comment on the consultative convention on the Constitution. Over the years, people with great personal courage have contributed to debates in this House by proposing ideas. We all hoped that many of these ideas would come together in the constitutional convention. It seems that all the debate will take place outside this House. All kinds of contradictions and misrepresentations will be put forward. People are depending on us to bring their views and their vision to the convention, but we will be unable to do so. We are being given one measly hour to look back on the record of this House. The future of the Seanad is not the only issue that should be considered by the convention. It should reflect the changed Ireland, which has a different status internationally. No one can justify the allocation of just one hour for a debate on this matter. Like previous speakers, I admire Senator Cummins. He has been one of the great stalwarts of Seanad Éireann. He is a decent and honest man of integrity. I ask him to change this diktat, regardless of where it is coming from. We should have a full day, rather than two or three hours, to discuss the constitutional convention.