Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Both parties in government fully support the amendments tabled by Senator Barrett. I think the officials in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and all Government Departments should realise that the Oireachtas is made up of two Houses. The people verified that not so long ago. The message needs to go out loud and clear that future Bills should not come into this House with references to just one House of the Oireachtas. We intend to send that message out today. Future legislation that comes into this House needs to reflect the opinion that both Houses of the Oireachtas should be consulted. We realise that the Government is responsible to Dáil Éireann under the Constitution. We want the point we are making to be reflected in all legislation that comes into this House from all Departments in the future.