Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for that advice. There is a series of mixed messages around parliamentary democracy reform. The Constitutional Convention is a very valuable and important initiative and Seanad reform should be part of that in its own time. I wanted to include a provision in the Bill that if the referendum was rejected, the Constitutional Convention should consider Seanad reform and report to the Government within 12 months to detail areas of reform within the Seanad. That is, mar a deireann siad as Gaeilge, rogha an dá dhíogha - is é sin atá agam. Céard go baileach a cheart dom a dhéanamh? Ar cheart dom tacú leis an mBille seo agus é ag dul tríd an Seanad, ag súil go ndéanfaidh pobal na hÉireann vótáil i gcoinne an reafrainn, rud a thabharfadh seans don Seanad athnuachan a dhéanamh air féin, nó ar cheart dom dul i gcoinne an Bhille ag súil go ndéanfar an t-athnuachan istigh anseo? The challenge is that in a way I am disagreeing with the views of Senators Norris and O'Sullivan but I do not disagree with the content of their argument.

This referendum is likely to be defeated by the citizens and the polls are close. I would like to hear from the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and all former Senators in the Government parties on how this is articulated. I do not like using the term "power grab" and although I am in favour of a bicameral model, I do not favour the way the Seanad works now. A bicameral model could work in many ways and there could be a system involving full-time politicians and members of civic society, which sometimes cross over. The Upper House could operate on a part-time basis and deal with important checks and balances.