Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The time has come for Fine Gael to make up its mind on Seanad reform and reform of presidential voting rights. This requires leadership from the top of the party, which must decide in this House whether it supports the programme for Government on the issue of Seanad reform. It also requires unambiguous and unambivalent courage and for someone to say the party either supports or does not support the programme for Government. The time has come for the party to stop speaking out of both corners of its mouth at the same time.

On this issue, the idea we are discussing is either good or bad. If the Fine Gael parliamentary party cannot meet and give two hours to deciding whether it is for or against this, there is something wrong. If the Department of the environment - or whatever it calls itself now - cannot come to a conclusion on whether it is capable of putting together an amended register for passport holders abroad, who qualify under certain criteria, on which they could add their names to be sent a postal vote, let us hear that. As for the idea that this weak, wheelchair Government should kick every can down the road at every point - I say this with the greatest respect for people with disabilities - the time has come for the Government to state where it stands on these issues. If it continues to procrastinate, there are simple ways of making the House unworkable. When the Government does not have a majority in the House it cannot get things through.