Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Senator Butler on his initiative in that regard because it is important that the Seanad's voice is heard at home and abroad.

The position of the Seanad is very important. Two weeks ago I raised an issue with the Leader of the House, tabled a Commencement matter and it has been resolved. Sometimes people do not realise the effectiveness of the Seanad. In fact, I have been a Deputy for more years than I have been a Senator so I know that it is as effective to make representations as a Senator as it was when I was a Deputy.

To allay fears, I have had an opportunity to look at the Ceramics Room in the National Museum of Ireland and found it to be an ideal location for the Seanad. The Senators and the Daily Mailshould fear not because the building is ideal for the Seanad. It links into Leinster House on the right-hand side and was part of the RDS complex at one stage. As far as education purposes are concerned, when I visited the room in July nothing was happening so I do not know what Dr. Pat Wallace, who has retired from the National Museum, meant. There will be plenty of opportunities on Mondays, Fridays and weekends to use the facility for lectures, which would be in beautiful surroundings with the furniture from this room. I disagree with the idea of relocating the Seanad outside of the capital because everyone works here as part of a team with public servants, civil servants and more. Therefore, we cannot afford that kind of relocation.

In respect of reform, the Seanad is working very well and if it is not broken then do not fix it. I was one of the Senators who was in this House when people voted to retain the Seanad. They voted because to my mind, it is and has been a very effective body. Let me explain. I recall that the leader of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe is Senator Joe O'Reilly. Many of the members of the Council of Europe attended a meeting last week but members of the Dáil were unable to attend due to the budget. At the meeting I put a question to President Hollande on the Brexit situation and got a positive response. I am also Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. This House serves a useful purpose as it is and through the Cathaoirleach, previous Cathaoirligh and previous Leaders it has built up an even stronger reputation than ever before.