Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements

 

2:45 pm

Photo of Maurice CumminsMaurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In considering the foreword of the document presented to us, I agree that Seanad Éireann has consistently made an important contribution to our parliamentary process, thereby enhancing the quality of our democracy. I thank Senators Quinn and Zappone and their colleagues, Noel Whelan, former Senator Joe O'Toole and former Minister Michael McDowell for compiling such a well researched and informative paper.

As Leader of the House, I share my colleagues' impetus to reform the Seanad and to this end my goal is to make the Seanad more relevant and accessible to the public. Since this Seanad first met we have put in place some small but significant changes. For example, there has been a significant reduction in holiday periods compared with previous years and this has led to the House dealing with more legislation and spending more time here. The introduction of question and answer sessions with Ministers who are invited to the Seanad has greatly enhanced the quality of debates. The creation of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee constitutes a strong addition to the overall committee system and brings the Seanad closer to the citizen by allowing community representatives to appear before the House. We all agree that the sessions we have had in public consultation have been very valuable. I also worked with my ministerial colleagues to ensure that a much greater number of Bills are commenced in this House. In the past year, some debates that have taken place in the House on those Bills and on new legislation have been excellent.

I have no doubt that a Seanad which is motivated to work collectively to introduce reforms at this time will enhance the value and relevance of the Seanad for the benefit of politics and the public at large. While we are discussing the future of the House we must, however, look at what is wrong with the Seanad as it stands. One thing that stands out day after day and which has not gone unnoticed externally is the attendance of Members in the Chamber. I have arranged debates with Ministers on every possible topic since the Seanad commenced in May 2011 but time and again I have come into the Chamber and sat with fewer than five Senators in attendance, while Ministers have given up their valuable time to come to the House and discuss policy matters with us. Many of them have come to me afterwards and wondered why they had been asked to attend and address a practically empty Chamber. I can assure Members this does not encourage them to return with any haste. One can only imagine what the media and other observers looking in think about Ministers addressing what is practically an empty Chamber.

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