Sean Barrett (Independent)

He would have been a very worthy candidate in view of his work for the Irish in America. At the very least, this issue should go to the constitutional convention.

Senator Quinn and I received some briefings on the constitutional convention. I am not particularly worried whether the President serves for seven years. In fact, I am delighted the last three terms and more were served for seven years each, so I am not sure that reducing the term from seven to five years is very important. However, all citizens should participate in the choice. The time when county councils were able to block alternative candidates was not good. The councils were controlled by the major parties and those parties were able to exercise the power to block alternative candidates. It has been much better in recent elections with the array of candidates and the popular interest in the election. It has made for very good choices. Extending the initiative to 10,000 people is in line with the European practice which provides for 1 million signatures for initiatives. It would be a good thing and if the Minister cannot accept it today, he should refer it to the constitutional convention for its consideration.

We debated the constitutional convention with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, last week. The convention also represents a strengthening and deepening of Irish democracy through the use of the electoral register to bring it to the level of the citizen, which will allow them to say to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers how they feel the country is going and what type of constitution it needs. I welcome that very much. It received unanimous and speedy support in this House. We would be delighted to do similar with regard to the initiative being extended to 10,000 people, as requested by my colleague's motion.