David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of Seanad reform. In as much as we can, we welcome the news the Government may extend the vote in Seanad elections to all third level graduates. At one level this is a step forward, but we can all agree it is not real reform; it is not what people want and it will not go far enough. As long as all citizens in the State do not have a vote for the people in this Chamber the House will suffer as a consequence. I genuinely believe in a republic all citizens should be able to elect the people sent to any arm of Parliament, whether it be the Dáil or the Seanad. I would like to see universal franchise.

We must also look at the powers and responsibilities of the Seanad in the spirit of the referendum result. It was very clear from the result, and from the debate, that many people who campaigned for a "No" vote campaigned for reform. In my view citizens voted for real reform of the Seanad and not piecemeal reform. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue in advance of legislation coming forward, so the Government will be able to signal to us and elaborate on what other reforms will come with regard to the Seanad? I hope we will not end up after the next Dáil general election with the election to the Seanad being exactly the same as it was for previous elections, with the exception perhaps of the university panel. This is an important issue and I hope the Leader will arrange for a debate on it.