Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is a worthy Bill and the Minister of State has put his heart and soul into it. They were all worthy Bills. I recently introduced a Bill on food provenance. In the latter case the Minister was unsure about his response to the Bill but he was convinced by the various speakers in this House. The reason I mention those Bills is not just because they are the ones that come to my mind, but because they came from this House.

If there is not a Seanad after abolition day, where will they be initiated? That is the point Senator Zappone made. In terms of a double scrutiny, the same people will be doing the scrutiny. We need somebody to give a second opinion and for checks and balances. If abolition day is the day the Minister has planned, that will not happen in future. The same people will be doing the work and we will lose a great deal in terms of our democracy.