Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is another in a long line of Private Member's Bills on Seanad reform. The most important element, and one that should be addressed, is that reform of the Seanad should concentrate in the first instance on its powers, functions and remit. The electoral system for the vocational panels should then come under scrutiny. I do not fully subscribe to many people's dismissal of the current system. We elect our county and city councillors to undertake responsibility for a range of functions in their local areas that involve the management of the spending of billions of euro of taxpayers' money and the control of 30,000 to 40,000 staff, yet people suggest that we should not empower them to elect the Upper House of the Parliament. This is the system in other countries as well.

Over the years, this House has included many fine representatives who contributed significantly to debates and the legislative process. Many went on to senior positions in government. The Minister of State was my opposite number in this House on communications, energy and natural resources while Fianna Fáil was in government, if I remember correctly.