Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In much more unsettled times, our legislators were so sensitive to the voice of the people that they made special provision in the formation of the first Seanad to ensure former southern unionists, the Protestants and even the Jewish people had a vote in the public forum. In these particularly settled times, we apparently have the arrogance to think we can simply abolish or retain the Seanad as opposed to reform it, with emphasis on the electoral process. Our Seanad has the capacity to formally represent diverse constituencies - regional, class and ethnic as well as experts and experience. Our Seanad hinders the passage of flawed legislation, acts a check to the Dáil and offers a cooling period. The Minister of State will know that, as he was one of our good Senators. With two legislative bodies, our Oireachtas has enhanced oversight of the legislation, excluding EU legislation which is not scrutinised as it should be, although many Senators have alluded to the fact that they would like to do that in a reformed Seanad.

The level of reasoned and informed debate which takes places in the Seanad, as opposed to the Dáil, is well recognised. It seems to be a much better form of debate. The Government Senators often debate as if they have a free vote compared to what goes on in the Dáil where one feels the Government Deputies are trying to score political points for the media or the twitterati. I really look forward to the day, in the not too distant future, when the people vote to keep the Seanad and that this valuable artery of our Oireachtas can be reformed for the betterment of our country and democracy.