Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. During the debate on the abolition of the Seanad he was very much committed to its dissolution but the public decided that the Seanad is worthy of its place in the Oireachtas and we look forward to working with the Minister on a broad range of reform over the coming months and years.

I have two questions on the legislation following which I will make my substantive point, which will follow up on the point made by my colleague, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames. On the language in the Bill, I refer the Minister to what strikes me as an anomaly in that it is set out on page 12 what an Independent Member means in terms of an Independent Member of the Dáil and an Independent Member of the Seanad. Having been a Member of this House, the Minister will be aware that when one is elected to Seanad Éireann, unlike when one stands for election to Dáil Éireann, one does not stand as a Labour, Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil candidate for Seanad Éireann. There is no party affiliation on a Seanad ballot paper. People are not elected as party members. Some Senators are elected-----