David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My dear colleagues, first of all it is my very pleasant task to welcome you to Seanad Éireann and to congratulate those of you who have been newly elected, as well as those who have successfully earned re-election, including those who campaigned against the Seanad during the referendum on its abolition. I regard the appointment of Eileen Flynn from the Traveller Community, following the pioneering work of Rosaleen McDonagh, as a significant advance. I very much welcome the appointment of a Minister within Seanad Éireann. These are strange and difficult times but I am certain that Seanad Éireann will not be found wanting in response to this challenge.I would like to read part of a letter to me from the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, dated 25 May 2020. In it he stated:

During my time as Taoiseach, I have enjoyed visiting the Seanad to discuss things that are happening, to listen to your contributions and to answer your questions. Throughout our history, the Seanad has been a place where courageous and outspoken things have been said and where Governments have been held to account. I have often said that I believe the Seanad's true role is to be a check and balance on the Dáil and it is at its best as a revising Chamber providing a vital independent voice. We will need this more than ever in the months and years ahead.

We have been exceptionally lucky in this country in the leadership given to the people in this time of crisis by our political leaders. In particular, I note the parts played by the former Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, the Ministers, Deputies Simon Harris, Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe, as well as the wisdom and decency displayed by the leader of Fianna Fáil, Deputy Micheál Martin, now Taoiseach. In contrast, we have tragically a moral imbecile in the White House and in No. 10 Downing Street, as Prime Minister, a man whose folly and vainglory rendered him unfit to undertake his duties as Prime Minister for a full month during the height of the pandemic. This historic coalition marks a welcome end to Civil War politics so that in future one hopes that politicians will deal with issues rather than sentiment.

I welcome very much the substantial increase in female representation. I regret, however, the absence from Seanad Éireann of any person of mixed race. Most of all, I regard the ruthless exclusion of Sinn Féin, which won the most seats, from any discussion of Government formation as an affront to democracy.

Much deserved congratulations have gone to the front-line operatives in medicine and the public service. A public display of applause, however, is very easy. It is my hope that this will be followed by a real and tangible financial recognition of the importance of these activities.

A decade ago, I foretold the forthcoming financial crisis and spoke out publicly about it. However, like most others, I had no inkling whatever of the emergency that would be caused by the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Ten years ago, the world was presented with an opportunity to review our economic system. That opportunity was missed. I very much hope that on this occasion we will take up the challenge and radically recalibrate the financial basis of society. A decade ago, I gave a definition of money as the symbolic representation of energy. It is obscene that this resource is so increasingly unequally distributed. It is time that we recognised that this is a planet with finite resources. We must get rid of notions in our industry such as planned obsolescence which should themselves become obsolete.

In previous meetings of Seanad Éireann, I was frequently a lone voice raising concerns about population. The human element of this planet has tripled during my lifetime. This is catastrophically unsustainable. Disputes concerning resources, such as water rights and territorial interests, are leading to violence across this planet.

It is also my hope that the Twenty-sixth Seanad will at last tackle the question of its own reform. One issue close to my heart is the removal of the unnecessary Standing Order 41. This denies to the Seanad the right to discuss fundamental issues of financial importance. All parties have agreed that it would be wise to see movement in this area. This has been endlessly discussed and now the time for talk is over. It is our responsibility to act.

We should also get rid of the nonsense of fobbing in when half the Dáil, being Ministers, does not have to do so. In these times of pandemic, we have all been encouraged to work as much as possible from home.

I would finally like to thank all members of the staff of Leinster House, the Clerk and his assistants, the keepers of the Official Report, the ushers, the restaurant staff and my political assistant, Miriam Gordon Smith. New Members will find we in Seanad Éireann are a happy and constructive family, as is appropriate considering that the magnificent building of Leinster House was once home to a great Irish family, that of the patriot, Lord Edward FitzGerald.I wish you all well during this session.

I will now accept a proposer and seconder for a motion regarding the election of the Cathaoirleach.