Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government's announcement about the new Seanad reform group, which is to report to the Government by March of next year, was printed in the newspapers over the weekend. Everyone here will know that the public rejected the Government's proposals to abolish the Seanad with the assistance of many members of the Government bench, the Leader included, and we all want to see reform of this House and reform of the Oireachtas itself. I have had one meeting with the Taoiseach, the party leaders and leaders of all the various groups in the Dáil and Seanad, which the Leader attended, since the referendum, and nothing whatsoever has happened since. The Taoiseach has not been in touch with anyone. He certainly was not in touch with me. Perhaps I am not important enough for him to be talking to.

In advance of the announcement about the new group he has set up, was the Leader of the House consulted about the establishment of this Seanad reform group? Was the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad consulted? Furthermore, as another office-holder, was the Leas-Chathaoirleach consulted? We all want to work towards reform of the Seanad, but also reform of the Oireachtas. The Taoiseach is missing the point. Although there are some excellent people in the working group, why is it that no existing Member of the Seanad was brought in? The father of the House, Senator Norris, has served here longer than anyone else. What is going on? Is the Taoiseach just going to use this House as he did before, as a little pawn-----