Jimmy Harte (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The day politicians are afraid of the public is the day one leaves democracy. Nobody here should fear the Irish public's view. Ultimately, they are the arbiters of this referendum. If the public feel the way we do and choose not to abolish the Seanad, the Seanad will come back as a much stronger organisation. Maybe the Taoiseach has done the Seanad a favour by putting it out there and saying, "Let the public, after 75 years, decide whether the Seanad is worth retaining." The wisdom of the public is what we must go on. If we had the law on our side and could vote in favour or against, I am sure 100% of the Senators would vote to retain the Seanad, but it is not for us to tell the public that it should not get a chance to endorse this fine House and the worthwhile contributions from all sides in this and other debates. We must let the public decide. We can kick our heels up and say the House does not deserve to be abolished. That is not a matter for us, as Senators, in here. It is a matter for the public outside. I ask the public, in October or November or whenever the vote takes place, to retain the Seanad.

The Fianna Fáil Senator stated that we are voting to get rid of the Seanad. We have a private vote and I will be voting in the polling booth to retain the Seanad, as I am sure many other Members will.