Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Zappone’s call on the Leader to allow time for Committee Stage of her Bill on Seanad reform. As he knows, we passed this Bill on Second Stage way back in March last year. Since then, there was a referendum this week last year in which the people said they did not want to support the Government’s move to abolish the Seanad. Nothing has happened since then that we know of. I know the Taoiseach said he has called together a few leaders of different groups to see what could be done. This is 12 months after the referendum, however.

Members have often heard me argue before how frustrating it is to see the length of time it takes to get something done legislatively. Senator Zappone has proposed the Leader finds time for Committee Stage of that Bill which she introduced here over a year ago.

I urge the Leader to find time to do so because the people of Ireland have said they want to see a Seanad that works and that is capable of doing far more than it is being allowed to do at present. That probably requires the changes that she has proposed in her Bill, which I was happy to second. I believe we should make these changes and I urge the Leader to arrange time for Committee Stage of the Bill so that it can come before the House very shortly.