Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support Senators Richmond and McDowell in their call for a debate soon on the future of Europe and our part in that future. I say to Senator McDowell one need not go to mainland Europe to come across Bambi-class leaders. We ourselves have one of them in this country where the colour of his socks seems more important to him than policies and improving the well-being of the community that he is supposed to be leading.

I would welcome a debate on Seanad reform. We have before us a number of proposals, including, at Second Stage, those of Senator McDowell and his colleagues. However, we need to do this in a reasoned manner. Just to put it on record here, every one of us in this Chamber is democratically elected under the Constitution. While we agree there is need for reform, that reform should be meaningful, and if it requires constitutional change then I suggest we should take our time and do it properly.

Finally, there is a joint Oireachtas committee established to look at proposals regarding the eighth amendment that came from the Citizens' Assembly. However, I note already, in this House and in the Lower House, conditioning from one side seems to be going on. Let us leave the committee to do its business or let us have a full debate here on the eighth amendment and get all the views of this House.