Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This Bill is meant to be about reform and making this Chamber more reflective of Irish society. We have to move away from historical hang-ups. For me, the days of treating Trinity differently have come and gone. For instance, would it not be possible to have one six-seat panel for all graduates? Could we move Dublin City University and University of Limerick graduates into Senator Crown's proposed Trinity panel? These are only meant to be alternative ideas.

As I said at the outset, I strongly welcome and support this Bill. As I have already discussed, I have only one or two amendments that I would like to see introduced. Most things in life these days come back to money. I would like to welcome the plan within this Bill to recoup the money spent on running a Seanad election from the existing expenses pool paid to Members of this House. I would also suggest that we apply the same system and process to the Dáil. However, if we are truly to reform this House, I feel we also need to examine many of the archaic Standing Orders which crazily govern this Chamber, but that is for another day.