Jimmy Harte (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Senator Mullen ate into my time, so I wish the best of luck to whoever comes after Senator Moran. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

I have said it locally on radio that I have no problem with a referendum being put to the people, who will ultimately decide. If they decide to abolish it, then so be it. However, there should be an honest debate because the debate that has taken place until now has been populist. The novel Lustrum shows how people in ancient Rome viewed the Senate. There were many layers of government in ancient Rome, and not just one Parliament. People valued the work of two or three different layers of government.

I met a farmer one day when I was cutting the grass and he told me he hoped we were not going to get rid of the Seanad because we all need a second opinion, even if we are just digging the spuds. He saw it simply that we need more advice in these hard times. Perhaps the man digging the spuds has a better view of democracy than many other informed people.