Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The date of the referendum might not in itself be all that important. However, as several Senators observed, democracy is a very tender flower. We see many countries where democracy has been distorted and abused by people in power. This is not the first country to experience that type of attack on democracy. Others have been through the same, sometimes with disastrous consequences for their populations.

I agree with the point made by the leader of my party in this House on the scrutiny of European Union proposals. It is an absolute shame that the 226 Members of the Oireachtas give almost no attention to such proposals which have far and away the greatest input into the laws of this country. When it came to power, the Government decided to be populist by combining Oireachtas committees in order to reduce their number, thereby making them unworkable. I acknowledge that the previous arrangement in regard to committees was far from perfect. However, the Government has aborted any attempt at proper scrutiny of EU legislation. We had a special committee of the Houses which dealt with this work, but the Government abolished it. Again, this is symptomatic of people going on solo runs for the sake of it in order that they can given the impression of being engaged in meaningful reform.

I agree with the points made by Senator Sean D. Barrett who represents the Trinity College Dublin constituency on Northern Ireland representation in the Seanad. This House has enjoyed a long and distinguished record of input by people from the North during difficult times on this island. I have in mind people like John Robb, Maurice Hayes, Gordon Wilson, Seamus Mallon and Brid Rodgers. Their participation worked as a bridgehead with politics and politicians in Northern Ireland. As somebody who has aspired all my life to achieving a united Ireland, I regret the Taoiseach's decision not to appoint any Northern representatives to the Seanad.