Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Most people in the House when they ran for election to the Seanad knew about this referendum and that the Taoiseach was committed to it. I do not see any point in debating about reform because it is long over. There were ten reports and nothing was done. The Taoiseach is putting a straightforward question to the people: do they want to abolish the Seanad, "Yes" or "No"? The people will decide.

We all agree this House cannot continue in its current form. I support and welcome local government reform and would like to see the role of a councillor being enhanced. I would also like to see greater Dáil reform. When a person becomes a national politician, he or she should represent the country and act as a national politician. If local government was better, we could leave national politicians to run the country and councillors to look after local issues.

Like the Leas-Chathaoirleach, I have a difficulty with the Order of Business. I find it very frustrating and I rarely take part in it. We do some good work in the House and a lot of good scrutiny of legislation has taken place. We have had some interesting people in here to address us. We had, however, a farcical outburst by a Senator here two weeks ago that did nothing to bolster the argument for the reform or retention of the Seanad. It had the opposite effect, and many people have said as much to me since then.

I respect my colleagues in whatever way they came into the House, be there here through the university system, as Taoiseach's nominees or candidates from nominating bodies on the panels. There is one Senator, however, who has a difficulty with me in the House. I got my nomination from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland. My family has been involved in the pub business for almost 50 years and I am continuing in that business. We are not drug dealers as was said on national radio two weeks ago.