Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his unfailing courtesy at all times. I welcome the Taoiseach back to the Seanad. Since he last spoke on 26 June, the people have spoken. That was on 4 October and now it is our duty to reform this House of the Oireachtas, as the Taoiseach noted. On Thursday, 5 July 1979, the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Election of Members of Seanad Éireann by Institutions of Higher Education) Bill was passed by 550,000 votes to 45,000 and was signed by the President in August 1979. That was 34 years ago but no Government has brought about the reforms required. The Taoiseach and I are the only Members of the Oireachtas who were Deputies on that day. Obviously we did not do much about it but we can make amends.

I wish to announce I have published a Seanad Bill, namely, the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2013. The Taoiseach and I should work together to bring about this Bill, given that we are the last-----