David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government was bounced and rushed into this.

The Taoiseach was head-strong and no one in his party called for reflection on the consequences of abolition of the Seanad. If the Government is minded to abolish the Seanad it should at least tell the people what will replace it. We are again being asked to buy a pig in a poke and to take a leap of faith. We have been asked by this Government and previous governments to take several leaps of faith and we all know where they got us. I do not believe we should take this leap of faith. I believe that in being asked to support abolition of the Seanad we should know what will replace it. We have not been given this level of detail.

Another issue in terms of the principle of this is that of checks and balances. Where are the checks and balances in the system? We will not have any. We will have only one House and, with no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, four Ministers running the country. The reality is that there are four Ministers and a Taoiseach running this country. Where are the checks and balances? What new powers will be given to backbench Deputies who, if truth be known, are as powerless as Members of the Seanad? I see no provision for checks and balances.

For all of the above reasons, I will be opposing this legislation. I believe the day on which Seanad Éireann will be abolished will be a sad day for this country. It will be a sad day for this State, the Taoiseach of which refuses to allow debate on reform and for people to vote on that reform. It is a sham for the Government to say that the people rather than it will be responsible for abolition of the Seanad. The Government will campaign for its abolition. This Bill will enable that process. The Government is not allowing the people to vote for reform. That is its failure. It is a sham and a lie to say that the people rather than the Government will make that decision. The Government is putting only one option to the people, namely, abolition of the Seanad. There will be no reform, which is a failure of this Government.

It is time the Government stopped peddling untruths on this issue. It is untrue for the Government to say that it is leaving this decision to the people. It is giving the people Hobson's choice and no real option. If the option is for the Seanad to remain as is or be abolished many people may vote for its abolition. I believe if they had the option the majority of people in this State would vote for reform and for a democratic second Chamber that is fit for purpose. They would also want to vote on Dáil reform, which opportunity they will not be given either.