Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Comhghairdeas leis an Cathaoirleach. I wish him and his family the very best in the time ahead. On the left and the right we see a perfect example of the love that dare not speak its name. What a beautiful baby they have produced in the Cathaoirleach. I am sure his daughter, Naomi, will agree, given the useful work she does. It is not unnatural, nor is it something about which people are concerned on the ground.However, on behalf of the Sinn Féin team of seven Senators I have the privilege to lead, I wish the Cathaoirleach well. He can be assured of our support and co-operation. I also thank Senator Buttimer for his kind words. I want to be associated with those words spoken about his courageousness and the good work he has done.

On this special centenary year, the electorate presented us with a unique dispensation to make the Seanad count for the ordinary people across the Thirty-two Counties, to count for the families and children with autism struggling to get services and supports, to count for the people in my community and rural Ireland who spend their last days on this earth on hospital trolleys and for those experiencing mental health difficulties. It is important that we remember the 451 people who died as a result of suicide in the past year. The Seanad must count for the people sitting the leaving certificate today. I particularly want to acknowledge the young people sitting the leaving certificate applied. The struggles many of them have had and the obstacles they have overcome to sit those examinations are what drives me and the rest of my team on to make this Seanad count for them and to acknowledge what they have done. I particularly want to make the Seanad count for rural Ireland, jobs, broadband and emigration. I am delighted that, like me, the Cathaoirleach has a special interest in fishing and farming. He knows the unfairness with which our fishing communities have been dealt with in recent years and which causes fishermen to risk their lives. Unfortunately, it has cost the lives of many fishermen across the country. He is also aware of proposals such as a single boat payment. I look forward to working with the Cathaoirleach on this.

As we all bring experience and expertise to the Seanad, we must not get stuck in raising awareness. We are in a privileged position in that we can influence policy which will matter to the people, as well as protect and affect the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. I want to imagine supports and services will be delivered from a human rights perspective. What a difference it could make if many of our health practitioners and others were trained in human rights to put people to the front and at the centre of everything they do.

Sinn Féin is determined to effect change from this Chamber. The only and first way to do this is through reforming the Seanad substantially. That is why we tabled a motion on Seanad reform which suggests the creation of a sub-committee to examine this matter over a period of six weeks. The key reason we want to do this is to ensure that the 42 new Senators have an input into that matter. I acknowledge the recommendations contained in the Manning report and the draft Bill. However, it is important to take up the proposal for a six-week examination to see how we can do business better.

I look forward to working with everybody across all parties. Let us put our heads together and make the Seanad count for the ordinary people who are really depending on us.