David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join my other colleagues who have commended Senator Maurice Cummins for the integrity he displayed during the referendum. It is extremely refreshing to find this from somebody who has been placed in such a difficult position. Not everyone has been like this. There have been people parachuting in and out, indicating that their real desire - even during the referendum - is to get into the other House and showing this House contempt. I find it astonishing. I also find it astonishing that Members on the other side voted so enthusiastically for the extinction of this House. The Bill that was passed was entitled the abolition of the Seanad Bill. It did not mention the word “referendum” once. I wonder how people can take their pay when they feel the Seanad is rubbish or that it is a jumping-off point for trampolining into the other House. I wonder about the integrity of Members accepting their salary if that is what they actually feel.

I have been campaigning for over 30 years for reform of the Seanad. It amazes me that after 30 years suddenly the Government is parroting all of my arguments about the lack of democracy. There were people lying brazenly on radio during the referendum claiming the university Senators had always opposed the extension of the franchise granted by the referendum over 30 years ago. We have all begged for it to happen. It is quite complicated because it would mean constituencies about the size of an EU constituency. It should not be left to people with a high national profile like me. It must be about bringing in younger people if it is to be truly democratic.

Then there is this rubbish that we should do it for nothing. Do the people who write this do their jobs for nothing? I do not think so. I am not going to just pass over an insult that our work is worth nothing.

With regard to the reforming legislation already introduced, it has been useful. I compliment my colleague Senator John Crown on his brilliant performance during the referendum. He has said honourably that much of the work done on his Seanad reform Bill has been done by his assistant, Mr. Shane Conneely. On the other side, the abolition Bill was prepared by a team of anonymous lawyers in the background. It is time we took possession of reform. It cannot be done outside the House.

We should examine the panel system. The Seanad should remain a vocational institution and reflect expertise. What the hell else do these people who so easily trot out this anti-intellectual line about elitism and such rubbish want? Do they want a collection of cabógs like they have in the other House? I am very glad that we have expertise in this House. In fact, I want more of it. For example, I want more of it from people who are unemployed. I was hoping Mr. Tom Hyland, the hero of East Timor, would be brought into this House. These are the sort of people who should be brought into it.

The panel system should be like the university system, which makes it work, in that it enfranchises ordinary Members. We could make sure everyone was on a panel and if there were some left over, they could be introduced to an extra panel.

I must warn about scrutinising EU legislation. There is an absolutely unbelievable volume of this stuff, most of it highly technical. It is not the vocation of this House to go through it. Throughout my political life, I never went for anything I could not accomplish. For example, all of the polls claimed I would be the first elected mayor of Dublin. It is nonsense, as I would have been hopeless. I recognise my talents, but I also recognise my limitations. If we take on EU legislative scrutiny, we will be absolutely banjoed.

We should demand more responsibility from the newspapers. Last week in The Irish Times, the paper of record, two columnists, Breda Power and Fintan O'Toole, said those on the “No” side should spoil their votes by writing “reform” on the ballot paper. I had to get on Twitter - with the help of my neighbour across the road, Muireann Noonan, because I am useless at computers, twiddles and what not - about this. At one stage, we were in contact with 1.2 million people and told them not to spoil their votes. Local radio stations such as those in Waterford, Donegal and Clare were just as important in the referendum as the national broadcasters.

Yes, this is a time not for recrimination but moving forward. We have had a degree of support from the people and need to justify it. Yes, we can be grateful to the Taoiseach. For the past 30 years I have been campaigning for Seanad reform, but it has never been on the political agenda. At least, the Taoiseach has managed - perhaps through the law of unintended consequences - to put Seanad reform on it.

The people are hungry for it. I have hundreds of e-mails from people saying they are delighted, but now let us get on with the job and reform.