Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Paudie Coffey, a former active Member of the House. I have not seen him in the House since his appointment. I welcome the words he used. He might have got some help in drafting them, but he was making points about the Bill. Members who were involved in drafting the Bill put a great deal of effort, thought and time into it. Nobody is saying it is not flawed in some way or other, but the purpose of Committee Stage is to debate the Bill, criticise it, comment on and change it, if necessary. One of our main aims on Committee Stage was to ensure we could have change. We thought the Government did not have the heart, stomach or enthusiasm for another referendum and on that basis our effort was to see if it was possible to have change without another referendum. I believe a reasonably good effort was made in that regard. That does not mean the Bill is not foolproof or that it is not possible to make some changes to it.

I was delighted with the Taoiseach's announcement yesterday that he was establishing a working group, but that is 13 months or more since the referendum was held. It has taken too long. I have often criticised the length of time required to get something done in the Oireachtas, but 13 months after the Taoiseach had said there would be change and that the Government wouild do something about it, he is only now setting up a working group. As Senator Katherine Zappone said, nobody from this House is on the working group. That is not democracy. If we are to have democracy, we should at least ensure that when people vote against the abolition of the Seanad, the Taoiseach will act on his words that there will be change and reform of the Seanad. Given that 13 months on he is setting up a working group that is due to report in another three or four months and does not include a Member of the Seanad, I do not believe the Taoiseach's heart is in reform. On that basis, this debate is necessary. This is one of the few chances we have had to debate the possibility of reform. The reform provided for in the Bill is an effort. Nobody is saying it is foolproof, but if it must be improved, let us ensure we can do this.