Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not. The question I would pose is about whether there is a settled position on agreed reform. There is no agreed position on reform other than we all want to see reform, if we are honest about it. The dissenting views in the report is one view. Another view has been expressed by others who have not been elected to the House. They supported the retention of the Seanad and yet now say it should be abolished. I do not believe that there is a position around reform.

I compliment Senator McDowell on the following. We have reached a certain agreement. We have made progress on the road to reform and we should look to seeing what the next steps are. I am looking to the next steps in bringing about reform because they are critical in bringing about reform. I guarantee Senators a pound to a penny that Senator Norris will not agree with having one university panel.