Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to echo the sentiments voiced this morning by my fellow Senators. This has indeed been an extremely dirty campaign, with false statements and misinformed posters that should have been removed. During my two and a half years in this House, I have witnessed excellent debates with fantastic contributions by many expert people in their field. This stands to the strength of this House, which is that Members are doing what they were elected - or in my case appointed - to do, namely, to discuss areas of concern and to scrutinise and strengthen the legislation. This I believe Members have done with more than 500 amendments. Were this referendum to be passed - I firmly believe and hope it will not - I would worry about the State and what will happen to this country, were power to be given to a smaller group of people. I would worry about the committees that will be appointed because they will be appointed by the Government of the day. As for this suggestion of an expert group of witnesses, expert groups of witnesses already come into Leinster House. I meet such expert groups every single week and I learn from the different groups from all sides and then use that information to bring it back to the Minister of the day. Having a second Chamber offers so much and it is needed. I hope that when the referendum is defeated on Friday, Members will have the opportunity to come back and have a better, reformed and more powerful Seanad. I wish to thank those people who have inundated me with telephone calls, messages, letters and e-mails, wishing all the Senators well in the forthcoming days. Such people appreciate the work that Members do and the job they can do, if allowed.