James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is difficult to understand the logic behind this when one of the purposes of the Seanad was to allow additional expertise and competences into the Oireachtas to inform and participate in debate. When I look around the Chamber, I find it unbelievable that people with expertise such as Senator Black, in the area of addiction; Senator Kelleher, in the Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Senator Freeman from Pieta House with expertise in addressing suicide; Senator Colm Burke, who has been a spokesperson on health for so long; Senator Swanick, who as a doctor has so much to offer; and Senator Dolan, who has spent a lifetime advocating for disability, are to be excluded from what should be a more inclusive and-----