Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Leader for their inspiring speeches on the topic. When Lord Midleton, Dr. John Henry Bernard, then provost of Trinity College, and Mr. Andrew Jameson met Arthur Griffith in London on 16 November 1921 and communicated with the then President of the Dáil, Eamon de Valera, they set in train a remarkable body, and it is fitting that we celebrate its 90th birthday today.

One of the first things the Seanad did was rename an institution that is known everywhere in the country. An amendment was introduced and passed by the Seanad which changed the name of the Civic Guards to An Garda Síochána, which is the title it has been known by ever since. The early relationship between the Government, the Dáil and the Seanad was described by Donal O'Sullivan as imperfect sympathy. By 9 August 1923, Mr. Cosgrave came to the House to express his deep appreciation, and that of his colleagues, for the co-operation and assistance given by the second Chamber to him and for its useful and constructive criticism given on the legislative proposals of the Ministry. I hope that on 9 August 2013, the Taoiseach will come to the House to tell us how much he appreciates what Senators have done. That is the spirit in which we operate and is why we are here.

Mrs. Alice Stopford Green said, when presenting the casket on which Senator Bacik commented:

We shall learn the ties which did in fact ever bind the dwellers in Ireland together. Whether we are of an ancient Irish descent, or of later Irish birth, we are united in one people, and we are bound by one lofty obligation to complete the building of our common nation.

Of course, as the Leader has said, that includes in the past two years in particular, the necessity to question and seek checks and balances to be created in institutions which have failed the country and which have caused the loss of our economic sovereignty. Let me think of famous names. President Michael D. Higgins was nominated to be a Member of this House by the then Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, and he has had a stellar political career ever since.

With regard to the present day, we shall discuss the Personal Insolvency Bill. It was amended 181 times on Committee Stage and the relevant Minister has taken another 155 amendments tabled in this House. Therefore, 336 examples exist of changes made by the House to major legislation that seeks to change insolvency from bankruptcy to a conciliatory process. That is not a unique occurrence in the past year. As many Ministers have referred to, and as the Leader has said, there have been constructive debates in this House. It is a pity sometimes that the advisers to the Ministers, who sit behind them, pass on notes telling them not to accept what we say. I hope that junior people in the Civil Service will be more open to our amendments than some of their seniors. It is a pleasure to see how willing Ministers are to listen to what we say here and that they appreciate the quality of our debates.

What present should the Seanad receive for its 90th birthday? I think the answer is: "Many happy returns."