Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is equally important that Members understand that the Constitution is open to change by the will of the people. If our Constitution does not reflect a modern society, then we would not, for example, have passed marriage equality and we would still have people being treated as less equal than others in our Constitution. In saying that, Senator McDowell is right that there are referenda that can be held that are meaningless and pointless, and that will be the debate we will have on the different propositions being put to the people. I do not think we can be afraid to amend the Constitution if we think it needs to be amended, but that is a debate we can have. I welcome that the Senator does not want another referendum on Seanad reform.