Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank those who have worked on the Bill. The timing is impeccable. The Bill was published today and I will hand the Taoiseach a copy when I finish my few words. I agree with Senator Byrne. This will give more than 500,000 Irish people a vote in respect of this House, which is an amazing step forward and an amazing reform on its own. It is not enough, however. I hope a group will consider complete reform of the House.

I hope the Taoiseach will return to the Chamber on a regular basis. He should consider the report compiled by Mary O'Rourke, the current Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, John Dardis and Joe O'Toole. The latter would provide a very good start in studying how the Seanad might be reformed.