Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to stand along with the 59 other Senators who have the privilege and honour to be here to work for and on behalf of the Irish people.I am delighted for your good self, a Chathaoirligh, that you have been elected. I have known you for five years, although not as long as many others in the House. I worked with you on the justice committee and your contributions were always constructive. Indeed, one of the best reports produced during the previous Seanad was the public consultation committee's report on farm safety. It was a groundbreaking report, which gained enormous publicity and took a shot on behalf of farm safety. The people who had lost loved ones as a result of farm accidents were pleased that the Seanad made farm safety such a priority. That was an example of new politics that was initiated in the previous Seanad. We are talking about various forms of new politics but with the greatest of respect to the previous Seanad, there was a great deal of consensus as well as division. Members such as the Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke, and the former Leader made an honest effort at new politics through the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and by allowing many debates. I look on that very much as the starting point. We have a great deal of work to do.

I congratulate my good friend, Senator Buttimer, on becoming Leader. His record speaks for itself. He will be Leader of the most exciting Seanad ever because of the diversity in the various groups and the many talented individuals among those of us who were lucky enough to serve in the previous Seanad along with the many new Members who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to this Chamber.

We are entering an era of consensus politics. The election on 26 February threw up a result that many had predicted but few were prepared for. That result has forced people to start working together. It certainly has forced my party and Fianna Fáil to at least start a dialogue of understanding and co-operation. That type of politics works in other parts of the world and other parts of Europe, such as in Germany and in the Netherlands. I refer to the new committee on budgetary scrutiny. That is the norm in other European countries where similar committees work well. The Budget Statement should be a summation of the work of the committee.

The House not only has a role in supporting and advising Government but it also has a role in coercing, cajoling and forcing Government to do the right thing. The House has always championed human rights issues and there is positive legislation on the Statute Book to protect human rights but more is needed. For example, the State has not yet ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. It is a crying shame that the country has not done so. The House should and will champion that as time goes on. We also need to promote and develop the mindset of people. They cannot just subscribe to equality; they need to believe it. Many of our citizens promote equality but others do not necessarily and we need to appeal to their hearts and minds as well.

The House has a huge opportunity. We can drive political reform in this country and we can make political reform happen. The House has a proud history and will have a fantastic future.