Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I believe that we need a re-imagined Seanad. We need a Seanad that is not hopelessly compromised by political patronage and a massive democratic deficit. Does simply abolishing the Seanad necessarily increase democracy? In my view it does not. If political failure lies at the heart of Ireland's economic collapse, and if we are in a climate of a changing Ireland and a socio-political moment when reform seem possible, a re-imagined Seanad to enhance democracy and expert law-making opens exciting possibilities.

Reform of the Seanad must be coupled with a radical reform of the Dáil and its procedures which though promised we have yet to see realised. I passionately believe that we need a re-imagined Seanad that incorporates the principles of democracy, inclusive representativeness and expertise. I, too, along with Senator Quinn and others, have worked on the issue for a long time with extraordinary detail, robust political science research and expert legal advice. Our proposals can be grouped according to four prime building blocks.

First, we can reform the Seanad radically through legislation. We do not require a referendum to do so. Our carefully crafted Bill is almost completed. Second, we can increase substantially Ireland's democratic governance by providing a one person, one vote system for 43 of the 60 Seanad seats. Third, a reform of the candidate selection and electoral system for Seanad seats can increase non-mainstream and marginalised voices being represented in Irish democracy. It can also increase professional and sectoral expertise being brought to the scrutiny of Irish law-making. Fourth, the Seanad's remit and its ways of conducting business can be changed so that it becomes more effective and fills current gaps in the legislative process.

I have some questions to ask my Seanad colleagues. What is the proper way to govern? Are those who believe that we should lob off one of the arms of Irish governance with the prime rationale of saving money right?