Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a comment on Part 1. This evening is an opportunity for the Seanad to ensure its legacy of commitment to its own reform, thereby leaving a legacy of genuine commitment to political reform. This evening we can do something immensely significant: we can focus on the good. Having spoken with most Senators, I know that everyone wants to achieve the good of Seanad reform. I know that every one of us present wants to demonstrate before the next general election that we will not be counted among those who are part of a system that is unwilling and unable to reform itself. Well over a year ago, the people voted to retain the Seanad so that it could be reformed. No one wanted the Seanad retained in its current form. Many in this Chamber, including myself, have talked to the people we live among or represent, and their disappointment that reform has not yet been delivered is palpable - understandably so. Let this be an evening that is not about resisting change; rather, it should be about hearing how we can co-operate with each other and allowing the agenda of reform to be advanced.

One of the excuses the Government has used for not advancing any reform is that we cannot agree among ourselves. Let us own the responsibility to work co-operatively and demonstrate that this questionable statement is inaccurate. I ask for the co-operation of all sides of this House, along with Senator Quinn, so that the Seanad will be viewed as one body wherein we can do the business of the people. At the very least, we know that the huge majority of our people want a vote for this Chamber. Universal suffrage and the principle of one person, one vote are fundamental tenets of a properly functioning democracy. It is absolutely critical to note that Articles 18 and 19 of the Constitution do not specify universal suffrage for Seanad elections. In fact, they do the direct opposite. The Constitution refers to the election of the elected Senators as a general election and states that "... elections of the elected members of Seanad Éireann shall be regulated by law". We can provide for universal suffrage in legislation. The Constitution says so. This will not make the Seanad a rival to the Dáil. There are many sections of the Constitution that demonstrate that the Seanad was specifically designed in a manner that could not rival the Dáil or consistently obstruct the will of the people as expressed through the Dáil.

We have very little time left to do our work of Seanad reform. Therefore, in the spirit and practice of reform, I am requesting that Senators be brief in their remarks on this debate, in the very limited time that we have left, so that we will be able to complete the passage of Seanad Bill 2013 today. We are almost out of time because the Government has done nothing substantive to advance Seanad reform. However, within the time provided today, we can have a good debate on the Bill and still bring it all the way through. Senator Norris, as the father of the House and champion of reform in the House for so many decades, is introducing some amendments. We are together in this. I again ask for the co-operation of Senators on all sides of the House in keeping their remarks brief so that we can achieve and demonstrate our integrity and commitment to advance the will of the people and embrace political reform in this Chamber.