Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the call from Senator Craughwell for a debate on the most recent episode of Seanad reform. It is now a very long-running saga. I say with no great pleasure but with absolute certainty that the Taoiseach has zero credibility in relation to any matter concerning the House. As part of an election whim in 2009, there was a back of an envelope proposal by the Taoiseach and one or two poorly advising advisors to abolish the Seanad. It was not thought out and led to a referendum in the campaign for which the Taoiseach, bizarrely, refused to participate. He is not in any position to try to put in place structures for Seanad reform.

If we were genuine about Seanad reform, which the people are demanding, the two Bills which the House has passed would be at the top of the Government's proposals. The people are demanding that every citizen should have a vote in Seanad elections, which could be provided for without any constitutional referendum. The people who are willing to serve on the committee are well meaning but we all know that it will lead into a cul-de-sac where wishy washy proposals which will have no meaningful effect will be presented, reported on and debated. If the Government is serious about Seanad reform, two Bills are available from Senators and they can be amended if necessary. Certainly, they could be enacted in relation to the next general election.

I am not a member of the university electorate nor am I a university Senator but the only thing the Taoiseach is interested in doing in relation to Seanad reform is putting in place a bizarre, 1 million voter university panel to get his revenge on the university Senators. That is his only interest in Seanad reform.