Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill and commend Senators Katherine Zappone and Feargal Quinn and their colleagues for their great work in producing a very credible Bill which should surely stand up to scrutiny. It provides that every Irish citizen at home and abroad will have a stake in our democracy by having a vote in Seanad elections. It will establish gender equality in representation, maintain the integrity of the vocational system, reduce costs by paying Senators a reduced salary, give the Seanad additional powers of scrutiny of ministerial appointments and EU legislation. It represents an attempt at real political reform which will provide a real alternative for the people.

I ask the Minister why it is not possible to hold a preferendum, so to speak, although it may involve a constitutional issue. I would like to hear a definitive answer to this question. Today marks the beginning of the end of the Seanad as constituted.

The Seanad has had a fascinating history. It has played host to many remarkable parliamentarians during the years, not least, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, Mrs. Mary Robinson, Mr. Douglas Hyde, Mr. William Butler Yeats, Mr. Seamus Mallon, Dr. Noel Browne and Dr. James Ryan.