Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome our distinguished visitor from New South Wales to the Chamber. He is welcome and I wish him well.I thank the 23 Senators who spoke on the Order of Business.

With regard to the request to amend the Order of Business to discuss the motion on Seanad reform, I cannot accept the motion for a number of reasons which I have explained at length but will repeat for the benefit of the House. First, it would put the Cathaoirleach in a position where he would have to name the people to be appointed, which he cannot do. Second, it refers to 20 other Members of the Seanad, which is one third of the membership and twice the size of the committees currently being formed within the Houses of the Oireachtas. Third, the Senator is asking for a timeframe which is within two weeks of the Seanad being constituted and which has already expired. To be fair to Senator Conway-Walsh, I am sure she will understand my bona fides on this issue. I am not against Seanad reform. Yesterday, at the meeting of Leaders and Whips, a discussion took place with former Senators Maurice Manning and Joe O'Toole on the Manning report and how reform might be implemented. One may not agree with the content of their report but it provides a roadmap for the future. There will be a Second Stage debate in the House on Senator McDowell's Bill on 13 July. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges will be established, I hope, next week. We can use that committee to drive reform, if needs be, on how the House operates and how we do our business. I have tried, in an open and constructive way, to engage with Senators on all sides. I do not have anything to hide with regard to how I do my business and how this House does its business. I try to facilitate all sides. Sometimes one cannot get agreement on the sitting arrangement between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, at other times one can do so. The overarching zeal for reform is a matter in respect of which I hope we can work together. I ask the Senator not to put her motion to a vote and divide the House because I do not want her to be seen to obstruct reform or to oppose Government reform at a time when we all want reform. I hope the Senator understands the spirit of my remarks.

In regard to the second amendment to the Order of Business, I ask Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh rather than divide the House to withdraw the amendment. I will endeavour to have the Minister come before the House today. Níor chuala mé an clár ar Raidió na Gaeltachta agus níl a fhios agam cad a bhí á plé. I think the Minister is agreeable to come to the House.Rather than divide the House, I ask the Senator to withdraw his amendment.