Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The debate this evening has been very worthwhile. It was calm and dealt with the issue of reviving and reforming the Seanad, bringing about change and listening to what was discussed in the course of the campaign. Often in election and referendum campaigns, emotion can take over and reflection can turn into argument. A period of reflection on the future of democracy generally in this country is required.

Whether we like it or not, there is a disconnect between politics and the citizens of this country at present. That disconnect is due in no small way to the economic woes of the country. There is a need to re-align politics closer to the people. I do not believe this is the right time for the country to have the knee-jerk reaction proposed by the Taoiseach of reducing democracy or the number of political fora. It was never more important in this country, or in any part of the world, to have political dialogue and political fora so the views of the people can be expressed in a chamber that is representative of the people's views. That is exactly what is done in this Chamber.

There is a need to review Seanad Éireann. Excellent proposals have been brought forward by various political parties and none, such as the proposals from Senators Crown, Quinn and Zappone. They all deserve recognition and discussion. Obviously, there is a requirement for a period of engagement on all of those documents. I agree with Senator Healy Eames that there might be an opportunity for the office of the Leader of Seanad Éireann to invite submissions from the general public and public interest groups outlining their views. Instead of sending those submissions into an Oireachtas committee which is predominantly controlled by Members of the Dáil, they should be brought before the Seanad through the office of the Leader. That engagement with schools, universities and civic society might be an opportunity worth considering.

We cannot control our destiny and should not try to control it. We must listen, reflect and decide on the best way. Certainly, any future Seanad Éireann must have an input from the general public with regard to who sits in these seats, and that can only be done by extending the vote to the general public. That must happen. It would bridge the disconnect that currently exists.

Following the result of the vote last Friday I believe this Chamber has been reinvigorated. Countries such as France and Germany use their second parliamentary chamber to have debates on regional issues which affect their countries. In the model of Irish democracy people tend to think the Irish parliamentary system is based on the British system. It is not. The provisions in the Constitution establishing both Houses of the Oireachtas were founded on the principle of the American Congress and Senate system. The aim was to replicate that system. If we are to do that, we must extend the universal franchise. In the United States, every state sends two senators to represent it in the US Senate. A state such as Wyoming, for example, with a population roughly the same size as that of greater Belfast, sends two senators to Washington, the same number as states such as California and Texas, which are the most populous states in the United States.

We must take all of that into consideration and look at how other parliaments operate. We should not simply rush into it just for the sake of political reform. It should not be quick political reform, but the best possible political reform. We should try to work together on this issue on both a cross-party and non-party basis. We should show the general public that we are putting this issue above party politics, that we will try to achieve something that will outlast all of us in the years ahead and that it will provide the people with a voice in this Chamber.