Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Taoiseach's initiative announced at the weekend that he intends to extend the franchise on the university panels following on the 1979 referendum. Along with colleagues on all sides of the House over the years I could never understand why successive Governments did not act on the people's wishes. It appears the "Yes" vote at that time to extend the franchise was over 90% and, signs on, there will not be a house in the country now that will not have at least one Seanad vote just on that panel alone, which will indicate a greater empathy with this House because people will have a stake in it. I never understood why Governments did not do it but, on reflection, I came to the view that Governments generally chose to ignore this House and did not want to give it any power. When I was asked why Governments would not give it, I believed Governments did not want to give this House any more power. They were quite happy to allow it continue on the way it was.

In that context, because there seems to be some momentum in this area, I ask the Leader that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, would have as an agenda item the most recent report, the Mary O'Rourke report, any other report - there were discussions at the constitutional committee chaired by the late Brian Lenihan - and other relevant documentation, that it be brought together in a concise way and examined realistically in terms of what can be achieved rather than looking at the broader picture of what we would like to achieve. I ask that the committee would then in turn bring those proposals to the floor of the House for a debate to ensure that Members on all sides of the House can make a contribution on the basis of the wisdom of those Members who sit on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I know it is in the gift of the Cathaoirleach, or perhaps the Leader, to set agenda items - I am not sure of the procedures - but it would be a useful contribution to the ongoing discussion about reform. We do not have to opt for the grand design. Great oaks from little acorns grow. We could examine specific issues that could be introduced without any great upset to the political system. We have all spoken about the European dimension and I know it is impossible for this House or any house-----