Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I speak on Seanad reform I will refer to a comment made by Senator Paudie Coffey about celebrities coming in here and being high profile. I do not know if I am being a little bit sensitive. I suppose I had a high profile before I came in here but I want to put on record who I am and why I am here. I am from inner city Dublin and am proud to say I am from the tenement houses only ten minutes from here. I come from a very working class background. In the past ten years I have dedicated my life tirelessly to families who have been impacted by addiction. I have set up an organisation to work with those families and I still work with them on a daily basis. Unfortunately, that organisation does not get any Government funding. I am entitled to be here. I did not come in here as a celebrity or to get a better job; I am here because I want to be the voice of the vulnerable and the people I work with. I want to put that on record.

I thank Senator McDowell for introducing this Bill and for the great work he has done on it, which is fantastic. I was honoured to be part of the wider group of Independents in the Seanad that launched this Bill. The Bill is the first step in ensuring the citizens of Ireland get the reform of the Seanad they asked for when they voted to keep the Upper House. We have seen way too many reports with little follow-up action and it is when we do not act on expert advice that our fellow citizens are entitled to feel frustrated at our inaction. While many view this Bill as not perfect, it contains the core elements of the Manning report and should form the basis of reform in this House. Giving the public a greater say on who represents them in the Seanad is to be welcomed. It will give wider society a stake in this House and an opportunity to influence its make-up. I also welcome the recognition in the Manning report that our fellow citizens in the North be allowed to vote in Seanad elections as well as to passport holders overseas. Every Irish person should be afforded a stake in their country. I also welcome the fact that provision has been made to allow city and county councillors a continued say in the make-up of the Seanad. Like Senator Boyhan, I completely welcome the fact that county councillors have a say in this. During my election campaign, I met with many hardworking, articulate and passionate councillors who worked tirelessly to better their communities. Their voices should he heard, their opinions listened to and their expertise of on-the-ground issues acted upon. Ensuring they have a continued voice in this House is paramount to its success.

The opportunity before us today is not just one of how this House is elected, but one that can ensure we influence the role and powers of this House. The working group clearly recognises the role of this House as being one whose primary function is the scrutiny, amendment and initiation of legislation. We should, however, continue to expand its remit to include the other recommendations such as giving consideration to North-South Ministerial Council proposals; giving consideration to secondary legislation of the EU; consulting with relevant bodies prior to and during Second Stage debate; investigating and reporting on matters of public policy interest; and considering reports from regulators and other statutory inspectors. These recommendations and the implementation of this Bill will ensure this House is elected more democratically and also have a more robust role in shaping the future of our country in a way that is more relevant to our fellow citizens. I have no doubt there will be resistance to this reform, as there has been in the past, but we have nothing to fear from change and I welcome the commitment of all parties to this Bill. I am delighted that we are at last listening to the will of the people.