Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Senator Barrett on introducing this Bill, which has commenced a discussion and caused us to consider alternatives. The opinions expressed today have been interesting. One of the first Senators to contribute was Senator Keane, who referred to the Taoiseach's nominees. I tend not to agree with Senator Walsh, but not agreeing is what we are here to do. Normally, the system of nominees has been used to present the House with members of the Taoiseach's own party. This time, the Government already had a majority in the Seanad. Although four of the Taoiseach's nominees were from the Labour Party, the others were neutrals as far as he could tell. That one has since joined Fine Gael is a different matter.

By the way, I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He is a regular attendee and a good listener.

The reason I am speaking is that having been here for 20 years, I believe the House does great work. It is competent to do so. It does some of its best work when there is no Whip. What strikes me most of all is when somebody stands up and says "I believe in this but am going to vote the other way because I am told that is what I have to do". I would love to get rid of that. There must be a way to do so.

As Senator Walsh reminds us, from 1994 to 1997 the Taoiseach's nominees stayed the same despite the change of Taoiseach. For once, the Government did not have a majority. The five of us in the university seats had the balance of power, which is a powerful thing to have. The legislation that came through during the period was very good. Part of the reason is because there was no Whip. This would be a stronger House if we had more Independent Members as opposed to Members who are obliged to take the Whip. If one looks at the university seats in more recent years, one sees people like Mary Robinson and Senators David Norris, John Crown and Sean Barrett. These are people who would not easily have been elected in a constituency. From that point of view, it has worked very well.

The reason I mention Senator Barrett's Bill in particular is that there have been a number of other Bills. Senator Zappone's Bill, which I supported, has been passed in the House. Fianna Fáil has a Bill, as does Senator Crown, whose Bill has gone through. Each Bill provides us with an opportunity to consider alternatives. The Bills consider whether we can have change in the House without another referendum. The Taoiseach is unlikely to show any enthusiasm for another referendum. As such, Senator Barrett has provided for change in his Bill without the need for another referendum. It leaves the six university seats in place but provides for seats for the other higher education institutions. If we get that sort of legislation through, it will strengthen the Houses and democracy. The current form is not working. Senator Cullinane said the Seanad in its current form must go. It will not go easily, but we can make changes now. Perhaps it is only tampering, but it is to do something which strengthens the House.

I welcome Senator Barrett's proposal. We desperately need the Government to respect the will of the people and provide them with meaningful Seanad reform. They are not getting that at the moment. The way the Government is approaching reform is slow and wrong. The Government Bill on Seanad reform - the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill - will merely reform arrangements for six Members elected by institutions of higher education. That is all it will do. That Bill means that 90% of the 60 seat Seanad would be left unreformed. The Government Bill will also maintain a Seanad electoral system whose underlying principle appears to be "one councillor, five votes". This is the part that really gets me. I would like to think that almost everyone who gets a visit from a canvasser in the next week before the local authority elections will ask candidates if they are in favour of having five votes where citizens have no vote, unless they are university graduates. I ask each elector to say that to everyone who knocks on his or her door to look for a vote in the local authority elections. That change must take place. I am a believer in the university seats and in extending the franchise to all other third level colleges.

By appointing people who were not party-political hacks, the Taoiseach showed that he could follow up. The House has done great work in the past and can continue to do so. I hope the Minister accepts the legislation to get it to the next Stage, even if changes must take place on Committee Stage.