David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having made those two points, I would like to turn to the Minister of State's speech. It is perfectly obvious that there will be no major intervention on reform from the Government. It is stated in the second paragraph that the Government supports in full the principles underpinning the recommendations. It is not agreeing with any of the recommendations, just the principles behind them. It is very easy to do that and it means the Government is going to do nothing or very little indeed.

With regard to the university constituency, I have stated many times that if over 1 million voters are put into the university system, the Independent voice will be squashed out by the political parties. The latter will finance campaigns for their candidates. That would be the end of the Independent voice. It would be rather stupid.

I noted with great interest that the Minister of State referred to non-statutory reforms and the possibility of doing a certain amount relating to the business of the House. His statement was absolutely true. I ask him to support me in the moves I have made to get rid of Standing Order 41, which prohibits the discussion of any amendment that creates a charge upon the Exchequer. We could do this without a referendum. It is in the charge of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and this House to vote as they feel. There has been a fair amount of classic Sir Humphreyism regarding this matter. It was referred to the Dáil committee. Why the name of God should that be the case? No Dáil committee can lay down the law about the Standing Orders of this House. It would be an impertinent intrusion that I hope would be strenuously resisted by Senators. The concept of a charge on the Exchequer could be used to rule out any amendment whatever.