Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

He was a person who paid a serious price for living by his principles in his political career. I ask the Leader to convey to his widow, Susan, and four children my sincere personal condolences on their tragic loss.

I raise with the Leader a matter which is increasingly of concern to me. It is now nearly six months since the Taoiseach indicated in this House that he proposed to establish an implementation group to advance the recommendations made in the Manning report on Seanad reform. As far as I know, although nominations for the group were sought in recent times, no progress whatsoever has been made and the implementation group remains inert on the shelf. Bearing in mind that it is part of the programme for Government which may cause some here to smile, something should be done about it.Now that the Taoiseach has an extension of his tenure in political office, will the Leader ask him if he could spare the time to come to the Seanad to explain precisely what he proposes to do in implementing the Manning report, whether he still intends to establish an implementation group and whether and when the group will meet? He asked us to further stall consideration of the Bill which I had got through Second Stage. Given that he asked us to postpone further action until he had established the implementation group, when is it proposed to make Government time available in the House to explain the reason for the delay?