Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Seanad abolition Bill was not put to the Dáil until the day after the Seanad had voted down a Government Bill to restrict the wearing of uniforms in light of the Blueshirts threat. There is an interesting history to the first Seanad abolition Bill.

The reason I mention all of this is because, in March and April 1934, there was a fascinating series of debates in both Houses on the idea of a bicameral system that also has significant resonance today. Persons such as the late President Eamon de Valera, were critical of that Seanad or second Chamber, but once the Bill had been passed, the Bill having been supported by the Labour Party, with the late Deputy William Norton referring to that first Seanad as a rubber stamp, and the Seanad abolished, popular opinion changed over the course of the following two years. By 1938, following the enactment of the 1937 Constitution, a new Seanad was set up. This was the current Seanad as we know it, with 60 Senators elected and nominated in the way the Leader described.

This new Seanad was a reformed version of a second House. It is interesting that, during the course of the period of the debates in the Dáil and Seanad in 1934, there was a growing recognition of the need for a bicameral system. This was accepted even by those who were highly critical of the constitution of the first Seanad. The commission that was set up following the 1936 vote agreed that there should be a second House in the new Constitution, that is, the House we have currently.

As other Senators have said, it is a House that we need to reform. We have carried out some important reforms internally, but we also must acknowledge the contribution the Seanad has made over many years. Senators have referred to the number of Bills that have been put through. Today, more than 100 amendments are likely to be tabled for Report Stage of the Personal Insolvency Bill. There is a good tradition of commencing Bills and of tabling amendments in this House. There is also a good tradition of introducing Private Members' Bills. We saw one last week on humanist weddings that had started life in this House as a Private Members' Bill.

Over the 90 years of the Seanad's history there has been this ongoing debate on whether to retain the Seanad. This debate will be emphasised further in 2013 as we face into the referendum. It would be worth acknowledging the history and contribution of the Seanad.

A practical way of doing this, which Dr. Byrne suggested four years ago, would be to put the Seanad casket and signatures on permanent public display. I believe they are still in the Royal Irish Academy. The casket was on display on the Cathaoirleach's desk in the Chamber from 1924 to 1936. It has a vellum manuscript with fountain pen signatures of the first 60 Senators. I believe I am correct to state it has not yet been moved from the Royal Irish Academy. Perhaps it is something we could consider doing in recognition of the long, lively and far from smooth history of the Seanad. As we face into debates we might do well to remember the Seanad has faced up robustly to these challenges in the past and may well do so in the future.