Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I begin by thanking the Members of the Seanad reform working group, and, indeed, Senator McDowell, for drafting this Bill and also for the work which proceeded it. I thank them for their efforts in putting it into place.

No doubt it is an interesting Bill and there are some fine aspects to it, but I suggest there are also many snags. People voted in the 2013 referendum to keep the Seanad, which showed a belief in the effectiveness and importance of this legislative arm. To honour the faith of the populace, it is important to keep the integral features of the House while ensuring it operates effectively. The Bill, however, focuses almost entirely on the electorate with little emphasis on the processes of this House.

The concept behind the vocational panels underpinning the Seanad electoral system has merit in bringing forward candidates who are genuinely from a particular business, professional or union background. I would have concerns, however, about additional eligibility requirements that the Bill imposes on nominating bodies, one of which is to have in place a set of corporate governance rules. This needs to be examined in the light of existing governance rules for nominating bodies. It is also fair comment to point that we are building a barrier to potential candidates by requiring seven years' experience in their chosen field, let alone adding another step to the nominating process.

In terms of providing votes for Irish citizens overseas which, in theory, is laudable, I am not entirely convinced. I am on the record of this House previously as being a firm believer in no representation without taxation.