Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil supports this Bill in principle but it will be putting forward amendments to it on Committee Stage. I welcome all of the contributions thus far on the Bill. I would like to put it on record that Fianna Fáil was the only parliamentary party to oppose the abolition of the Seanad in 2013.

I believe reform has started in the context of the 42 new Senators elected in 2016. We need real action not more idle talk. The Seanad is an important venue for a diverse range of expert voices and is a crucial check on the business of Dáil Éireann. It also plays an important role in the passage of legislation.

For Fianna Fáil the two primary aims of the Seanad Reform Bill must be that the Seanad will act as a check on the Government and scrutinise national and EU legislation, It must also represent and provide a voice for groups that would not be heard in Dáil Éireann, including on issues such as the abolition of the town councils, which is an issue that I believe needs to be addressed urgently because of the impact it is having on the communities in which we live. Having been a councillor for 19 years I am acutely aware of the changes that have resulted from the abolition of the town councils.

It is important provision is made for meaningful parliamentary debates and that the public process for appointments to State boards is opened up. It is clear from the outcome of the 2013 referendum, in which 48% of the electorate voted to abolish the Seanad, that the people of Ireland are disillusioned with the Seanad and that there is a deep-seated desire for comprehensive reform. We all need to play our part in ensuring the Seanad Reform Bill 2016 makes a difference to the people of Ireland. The people have spoken: they want reform and we, as Senators, need to give them that reform in 2016.

I refer to the remarks made earlier by Senator Craughwell. I am honoured to be here to represent people. I can assure him that I will work extremely hard in that regard. There is no need for the comparison of this House with a nursing home or play school. As Senators, we will ensure that there is reform in 2016.