Jimmy Harte (Labour)

I am sure he is. However, were no Oireachtas Members from such counties to be included, it would be possible for one county to be left out. It could be Donegal, Leitrim, Laois or Kilkenny. I wish to ensure this does not happen and that all counties will be represented.

I agree with Senator Mooney in respect of the diaspora. Perhaps one person selected will be found to have emigrated in recent years despite still being on the register. In other words, the presence of a diaspora member may happen by default. However, I agree the diaspora is such an important part of our culture that it is a shame that members of the diaspora will not be included, because my understanding is that it will be based on the register of electors. In the context of electoral reform, Senator Mooney suggested the only people who should be talking about it are politicians. However, that is somewhat akin to suggesting the best people to advise on lovemaking are gynaecologists. The wider public sometimes might have more wisdom then do politicians when it comes to electoral reform. Even though they know the ins and outs of the whole range of politics, politicians may need advice from the ordinary man on the street, who is sometimes much more practical and can see things from a distance, rather than from inside the glass bowl in which we politicians live.

The idea of a convention was proposed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, at a Labour Party conference two years ago in an aspect of his speech that he strongly emphasised. It is important for the country as a whole, as the 1937 Constitution has moved on. Moreover, over the past 20 or 30 years, the country has moved on, both culturally and socially, particularly from the perspective of people of foreign nationality who live in the country. It may not reflect the country as it stands and I think we must broaden it out. There may even be no changes to the Constitution, but giving the people an opportunity through a regional selection based on age, gender, social status and so on will bring out ideas. Sometimes the ideas that come from the ordinary person are the best ideas. They are not tied up in the restricted thinking that we sometimes have. I hope that the 66 members chosen will reflect the views of the nation, and that one of them at least is from Donegal.