Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have heard very divergent views here this evening, which is welcome. As a former Member of this House, I respect every Senator's view. I commend Senators Quinn and Zappone who have put a lot of work into this Bill, which is well intentioned and which has generated a very welcome debate this evening. We have only reached section 2 of the Bill and have heard very diverse views across the board.

That said, I have an obligation as a legislator to point out where the Bill is fundamentally flawed.

As legislators, we are required to robustly scrutinise and analyse all legislation that comes before us. A number of Senators made the same point.

The Bill gives rise to significant issues which impact on a number of articles of the Constitution. I referred previously to Article 15.10 of the Constitution. The Bill would impact on that Article because the Seanad cannot be directed in legislation on how it does its business, which is what the Bill sets out to do.

To address some of the points made on Seanad reform in general, given the wide and diverse range of views expressed in this debate, it is clear that it will be difficult - in my view impossible - to arrive at a consensus. With this in mind, the Taoiseach announced the establishment of a working group which will examine all previous reports, proposals and submissions on Seanad reform and welcome new submissions from Senators and members of the wider public. The Government has given a commitment that the report will be finalised by the end of February 2015, when it will be submitted to the Government.

I acknowledge the work the Leader is doing in the background through the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges.