Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is the point. I am disappointed that Senators Barrett and Darragh O'Brien, to whom I am referring because they are not in the House, feel disappointed on my behalf. I am also disappointed that they feel ashamed on my behalf. To be clear about it, I have been consistent. I admire much of Senator Zappone and Senator Quinn's Bill and much of Senator's Crown's Bill. What is abusive about this debate is that the Taoiseach has given us a very narrow choice with which I am extremely uncomfortable and which I do not like - abolition or retention, when it should be abolition or reform. However, let us do the numbers. With the Whip as it is, regardless of whether the recommittal was voted for, we would have wasted another 90 days in this House. The more we talk about ourselves in this House, which is where the melodrama comes in, the less likely it is that this referendum will be defeated. That is a fact. That is Act Three. We need to get out of here as quickly as possible and allow civil society to debate what I consider to be one of the most important elements of our democracy, which is our parliamentary democracy. It is the connection between our parliamentary democracy and our citizens through participation and trust. I believe in a bicameral model and an Upper House that is reformed and I believe this will be achieved by voting "No" to the referendum and not by filibustering or agreeing to the recommittal of the Bill. The longer we speak to ourselves and the more dramatic we are in our speech, the more likely it is that the extremes on both sides will be reported in the newspapers and that the middle ground will not be achieved.

The sense of disappointment and the pallor of melodramatic fugue in this House are not found outside. Even though they have been given a very convoluted and almost perverted choice, I believe that Irish citizens will vote "No" and for reform. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we will have that debate. Let me be clear once more, because an impassioned speech was made. I voted against the recommittal because we will do damage to the debate on a bicameral model if we continue to spend time on this. That debate needs to be a national conversation outside Parliament because there will be a movement and coalition of politicians, activists and community workers from all sides who believe they cannot trust 158 Deputies at the next election and a Presidential-style Government. The great weakness in the Government's argument is that it has not shown any Dáil reform. It has introduced the famous Friday sittings but there is no evidence of reform that works. It has crowded the committee system and there are mixed signals. What are we afraid of?

Are we afraid of reform or are we afraid of not being elected once reform is complete? I am in the lucky position of not having been elected but I expect future reform will not include nominated Senators. Perhaps some of us are afraid that we might not have the capacity to be elected.

I am voting in favour of the legislation in order that our citizens will become more involved in the debate through a referendum campaign but I am not voting for abolition. The referendum can be defeated as along as the conversation occurs nationally and not in this Chamber. That was the reason I voted with my conscience on Second Stage, although "conscience" is an overabused word. Members have expressed sympathy or anxiety about how I reached my decision and whether I was influenced. I was influenced by my own political beliefs and interest in how I think reform should occur. I had those discussions with myself but, in fairness to myself, I plead with Senators O'Sullivan, White, O'Brien, Whelan, Ó Domhnaill, Quinn and Barrett to read my Second Stage contribution and not to in any way over exert their anxieties about me or over exert their own consideration for me. I acknowledge they are worried sometimes about how I might vote but my record stands, as does that of my colleague on respite care.

I am in favour of reform and the Bill being put to the people as soon as possible because the numbers do not stack up in the House and we should get it out there. I will vote "No" when the referendum takes place.