Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

-----there is continued resentment of the Seanad's lack of democratic input. The old Seanad Chamber might be undergoing renewal but there is absolutely no sign of a similar renewal for this institution. Senator McDowell's Seanad reform Bill which I was proud to co-sign would invigorate future Seanaid by giving them the democratic mandate and expertise the institution was always meant to embody. It would guarantee one person, one vote for the election of the majority of Senators and thus end the injustice of some people having as many as seven votes while the majority have none. It would ensure the Chamber would be made up of real experts in their fields and provide a clear line of difference between this House and the Lower House and would give representation to the thousands of Irish abroad who are denied representation in either their new or original homes, in contravention of international democratic norms.

I ask the Leader for clarification on several points regarding this issue. When will the Government convene the committee on Seanad reform? What will its remit be? What will be the timeline for its work? How will it be resourced? Who will be the Chair of the committee? Will the Government agree to engage with the committee in the spirit of reform and constructive engagement engendered by the result of the referendum four years ago? Will the Government specifically focus on the Seanad reform Bill that remains on the Order Paper or a wider remit? Is it the Government's intention to slow the process yet again and wait it out until the next election and the convening of yet another report to tell us what we already know? I ask the Leader to indicate which Minister is responsible for the Bill and if that Minister will come before this House as soon as possible to tell Senators of the process?