Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted that Senator Norris decided to give me a breather so early in my contribution. As I was saying before the quorum bell, the restorative justice community was happy with the Seanad, in particular. Certainly it has raised the profile of the Seanad for the many people who are promoting and supporting restorative justice. Restorative justice has worked extremely well in Northern Ireland and there are other examples in New Zealand and parts of Germany, while in Canada there is a significant advancement in the whole area. I have always felt that Ireland has proved itself as a country in terms of, for example, the smoking ban, where we led the way in Europe and I think we can lead the way in Europe with a whole new way of dealing with the victims and the perpetrators of crime. Certainly, the Seanad opened up the debate in that area.

There are many issues in the area of disability that need to be dealt with, for example, Irish sign language. In the next term I intend to be prominent in pushing the issue whether through a Private Members' motion or Private Members' legislation to get recognition for Irish sign language. People who come from minority backgrounds, whether they are people with disabilities or from other communities, have a role to support in the Seanad to ensure minorities have a voice. In the past the Seanad has successfully provided a voice for many minorities. We have seen the work Senator Norris has done in legislating for the area of homosexuality along with many other very useful contributions.

When the people get their say and reflect on the decision they have to make they will, I think, vote to retain the Seanad. However, it will be with a moral caveat to a future Government that instead of election manifestos proposing a referendum for abolition - that process will have gone through - hopefully, the next set of election manifestoes will propose a suite of reforms through which the Seanad will have real power.

This Seanad will run its full term regardless and be dissolved on the day before the next Government is formed. Let us hope that the various parties' election manifestoes will include proposals on Seanad reform that will lead into meaningful reform under a programme for Government. This is what the people of Ireland will vote for.

We can debate right through the night, but the people of Ireland deserve their say. Our Constitution does not provide for a "preferendum" in which the choices would be to abolish, reform or retain. It is just a referendum. Energies would be better used campaigning among the people as opposed to creating a logjam of contributions in the House, as excellent and all as they are. I could sit and listen to many of my colleagues all night, but that would defeat the purpose.