Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senators David Norris, Feargal Quinn and Sean D. Barrett for tabling the motion, with which I fully agree. This House has been demeaned by Members raising an item on the Order of Business only to run out of the Chamber immediately to attend a committee meeting. That happens in the case of quite a number of Members, some of whom are courteous enough to apologise to me that they have to attend a committee meeting. It is neither good for the Seanad nor the committee to be disrupted in such a fashion.

Both Houses should reform to allocate one week in four to committees and not have committee meetings when both Houses are doing their business. However, that is not my call and I have no say in the matter. As Senator Feargal Quinn said, if we had the full co-operation of Members, joint committees could not commence without a Senator being present for purposes of having a quorum. The Seanad has to flex its muscles in this regard.

I am fully in favour of the motion. If it is passed today, by the end of the month we should notify the Government Chief Whip and committee Chairmen to allow them to change committee business so as not to hold meetings during the Order of Business in the Seanad. I will suggest committee business not continue between 2.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on a Tuesday and 10.30 a.m. and midday on a Wednesday and Thursday. This would include committee meetings that begin at 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on a Wednesday and Thursday because it would lead to Senators having to leave to attend the Order of Business.

When there is a vote in the Dáil, the committee sitting is suspended but not when there is a vote in the Seanad. This shows complete disregard for this House. I am certainly open to change, particularly if it would assist the workings of this House and how Members are elected. We have a long battle ahead of us. There will be a referendum on the future of the Seanad. Prior to this, it would be only right and proper for us to outline to the people the changes we envisage in how Members are elected, the number of Members and so on. I am sure this will be included in the Bill that will be introduced and on which we will have a lively debate.

I commend the motion to the House and hope it will be a catalyst for change and help the committee system.