Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election. He was well chosen and brings experience and integrity to the role. He is a great listener and is fair. I would also like to congratulate Senator Jerry Buttimer on his appointment as Leader. He has the qualities to make the Twenty-fifth Seanad, which comprises an elected group of powerful people, come alive internally and externally. He chaired the meetings of the Joint Committee on Health and Children when it was discussing end-of-life issues, and did so with exceptional ability, determination and compassion. He will bring that same talent to the House.

Everybody is talking about reform of the Seanad, which we need internally and externally, in terms of how people get in here and what they do afterwards. I would like to make a suggestion to the Cathaoirleach. Perhaps we could have more control of electronic equipment, so that Senators who come to the House would listen to arguments and argue against each other without having their heads in phones or tablets, especially when some of the subjects about which we are arguing are quite profound, if not life-changing. It is very disconcerting to be sitting beside somebody who might be ordering shoes or talking to relations all over the world. I am not against electronic media, but we should show a certain discretion, especially when the national and international world is now watching us on screens. My grandmother used to say that if one wanted to change things, one had better start in one's kitchen as opposed to going up town. Maybe we should start with a few mannerly changes in the House, one of which could involve the discretionary use of electronic media.