Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I rise to request an amendment to the Order of Business. I was rather shocked at the weekend to find out that an eminent group had been put together to come up with proposals for the reform of the Seanad. Democracy is a fragile thing and during the life of this Government the democracy of the country has suffered quite severely by having decisions made by a small group of people on the Economic Management Council. Some time ago, the Taoiseach came into the House, having failed to abolish the Seanad, and said that he came in peace.

Then he goes off and puts together a group to reform the Seanad. This affects every person in this room. Everyone I have seen since I have come to the House - I will agree I am a short time here - comes with conviction and concern for the role they play in our society. Each of us feels privileged to be in this House. What right has anyone to bypass this House, set up a review group but not consult the Members of this House? This is totally unacceptable in my view.

As I say, I have no difficulty whatsoever with the members of the group other than the fact that we have no representation on it from sitting Members. At the least, the Leader of the House should sit on the group. More important, I have taught students for the past 25 years and every time politics has come up in discussion they have told me they feel excluded. They ascertain no link with the political system in this country. Why has the Taoiseach not put a member of the Union of Students in Ireland or some other youth group on the review group? Why are such representatives not on it? I know they will be requested to provide reports or give an input, but that is not the same as being a member of the group.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business. I call on every Senator when it comes to vote on the matter - I will push it to a vote if I can get a seconder - to please look into their hearts and think about the fact that it is their House they are talking about reforming. I call on people to think about that.