Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is agreeing with me that the town council has done tremendous work. It is symptomatic of town councils across the country. I am concerned about the tendency of the Government to gradually erode our democracy and the rights of our people, while giving bankers more power so that they can crucify people, having landed the country in this mess. It is all in the interests of a larger elite in our society, but not in the interests of the ordinary citizen. Democracy has to be about ordinary citizens.

I am opposed to this Bill on the basis that a clear choice of reforming or abolishing the Seanad should be put before the people. By virtue of the fact that that choice is not being given to the people we are running a real risk, particularly in the current climate of total disenchantment with politicians and the political system - not just in Ireland but elsewhere, although it is very evident here - that we may get an outcome promulgated by the Government which will not serve future generations of Irish people well.

Even at this late stage I appeal to those who have influence to make the necessary amendments to the Bill in order that a clear choice will be given to people. My concern is that if people are offered a choice to abolish the Seanad, they would not vote for its retention because they would not trust either of these Houses, or the Government, to reform it. There are good reasons for that. We have all seen the broken promises from the previous election. We have seen the damage the Government has done. We have seen commitments made. One only has to ask any pro-life person about the written commitments from various parties and individuals prior to the election that count for nothing. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, probably told the truth when he said that they are things one does before an election but they are not of any significance subsequent to it. In that climate, I am concerned that by not offering a clear-cut choice to people, we may well end up with a situation which will not serve the people in the future.