Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We must, in any case, have a plan B. It is just as well the Minister of State has all those reform proposals stored in his head. An issue that concerns me greatly is the additional workload that will be placed on committees under the Taoiseach's plan for Oireachtas reform in the event that the Seanad is indeed abolished. The current committee system does not work and, like the Upper House, is much in need of reform. Attendance at committee meetings can be quite poor and participation is sometimes hit and miss. My own experience as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine is that members often make an excellent contribution. In general, however, meetings are often shy of members and would be very shy indeed in the absence of Senators. This low attendance culture could not be allowed to continue if the Seanad were no more. I seek assurance from the Government that Deputies will be gently forced to attend committee meetings and actively participate if the Seanad is no longer part of the political system. The Government might consider scheduling committee meetings at times when the Dáil is not sitting. Holding them at 8 a.m., for example, would allow full engagement by members before beginning the parliamentary business of the day at 10.30 a.m. Consideration should also be given to a 48-week year. Senator David Cullinane mentioned that mná na hÉireann have to get home, but a 48-week year should become the norm for both Dáil and Seanad, if the latter is retained.

The decision to hold the referendum in late September or early October should be revisited. As other Members suggested, it would surely be economically prudent to have it at the same time as the local and European elections. As a realist, I recognise that the ink is more or less dry on that particular decision and it will not be changed. At the very least, however, I hope the Government will commit to holding the vote at the weekend so that schools are not obliged to close. This would afford the greatest possible number of people the opportunity to cast their vote and would not require working families to fork out for additional child care. I have to commend the Government on its strategy and foresight in timing the referendum so that people who are feeling pre-budget discontent will have a nice opportunity to vent their frustration by abolishing at least one of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It might well seem an attractive option in the face of a prolonged banking crisis, mortgage arrears, unemployment, emigration and the frustration and misery that so many citizens continue to experience in these very difficult times.

The expensive referendum offered to the nation is antidemocratic and belittles all of us. I believe in democracy and I believe in Ireland and its future, but most of all, I want to know for certain that we will work together to protect democracy and the rights of our citizens and our country. We are planning to carve out one-third of our Oireachtas and we are doing it in a very haphazard, rushed manner. I support Senator Feargal Quinn's amendment because we need to slow down on this. There is more debate to happen and I would like to ensure we inform our citizens before they go to the polls.