David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Nobody is issuing threats. When I said it would be used in a sinister way, it will be used in a sinister way by people within the Unionist constituency who will seize on what has been said. I think the Minister will regret saying it for those reasons, but that is a matter for himself. The Minister can stand over what he says.

The central premise of what the Minister is doing is to save money. If that is the case why has he not looked at other ways to save money rather than reducing the number of elected Deputies? One can save money easily by abolishing a raft of allowances and reducing pay.

It is disingenuous to assert the Government is not abolishing the Seanad, and state the people will. Of course the people will have their say. I am sure that when the posters go up, there will be Fine Gael posters calling for a "yes" vote. The Minister may be able to tell me differently but I would imagine, given he is proposing to hold a referendum to abolish the Seanad, without looking at reform of the Seanad, that he will be supporting its abolition. It is a bit disingenuous to say it is the will of the people.

It would be different if the people had an opportunity to vote for a reformed Seanad, but they are not being given that opportunity. A simple proposition to abolish the Seanad will be put to the people in the referendum. Reform of the Seanad could have been considered, but instead the Government went for the simple option to abolish the Seanad. I think it is about saving money without coming up with alternatives.

I did not realise that we could deal with the name of the constituencies, as I thought this would be dealt with separately. I apologise for my late arrival. I support my colleagues who commented on the name of the constituencies. I am aware that a number of the Minister's colleagues in this House have also supported this, mainly in relation to Galway West taking in parts of south Mayo and naming the constituency Galway West-Mayo South. It might be more problematic for the Frankenstein constituencies because of the number of counties encompassed by them. It is important that the people from County Mayo who are now to become a part of this new constituency will be recognised. Recognition is of significant importance. The fact that they will not be recognised in the name of the constituency will be an issue for them and the Members elected to represent that constituency. It can be compared to the approach of Pontius Pilate of washing one's hands of any responsibility. Members of the Seanad may think they cannot do anything in this House. Of course we can. We can accept the amendments that are tabled in good faith.

I do not accept the Minister's arguments on the premise for these changes and in respect of the limitations on changing the names of the constituencies.