Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I hope Billy is watching this debate today but I cannot imagine how he feels right now. It is hugely disappointing. The Taoiseach appointed Senator Lawless to deal with this and the Minister has let him down today. It is a huge, huge disappointment. I am also struck by the fact that - with regard to Senator McDowell - Seanad reform is dead and gone. The pretence is up on that also. Seanad reform is going nowhere. We suspected as much but now it is absolutely clear. The wording in the amendments is weak and only offers further consideration. Senator Daly put it very well. This brings me to Fianna Fáil's position, which is the most disappointing of all. I had an e-mail back from Senator Daly last week telling me that he would be delighted to support the motion today yet I regret to say that we seem to be getting indications, and maybe Senator Gallagher will dissuade me of this, that Fianna Fáil will not be supporting our motion on emigrant voting rights. What a sad day that is. If Fianna Fáil is not going to support the motion when it is in so-called opposition, then there is absolutely no chance of it doing anything on it in government.