Seanad debates

Friday, 31 July 2020

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Victor BoyhanVictor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the previous speakers. Today we deal with very important legislation, the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020. Let us hope we do not have a reoccurrence of what happened in the Lower House yesterday. I appeal to all democrats to support open, healthy discussion. As a revising chamber, it is our job to revise legislation and to look at all amendments and to give them serious consideration. It should be remembered that it was not too long ago that half of the Government were on the opposite benches in the Dáil, hurling all sorts of political accusations at the other party for its failures in the areas of housing, healthcare and disabilities. I could go on listing a raft of things. They should not forget where they came from. They are in government for the moment but who is to say that they will not be back on the hustings in six months' time arguing a different story? It is important to respect both sides. I respect the Government as it has a democratic mandate but those of us on this side of the House also have a mandate and we should be facilitated in scrutinising legislation. The last Taoiseach, now Tánaiste, came to this House and stressed the importance of this Chamber, the Seanad, as the revising chamber of these Houses. That is important.

As we wind down for the summer recess, it is important to look at a few things. We have had a hectic time as politicians but also as people and citizens of this country. We have had a general election and a Seanad election. We had a major crisis in healthcare, which has not gone away. We have a crisis in housing and our economy is flat on the ground and needs help. Brexit lies ahead of us. There has been Covid-19 and the associated forced closure of essential services. We should think of the disabled people, those who were locked in their homes and those who could not say goodbye to their husbands, partners and loved ones because of Covid. None of us caused this but these are tough, harsh times. I have no doubt they will get harder in the future.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Deputy Varadkar, who led the outgoing Government, for his steady, sure hand with regard to Covid. That has to be acknowledged. He was professional and steady, as were all involved. I also acknowledge the work of Fianna Fáil with regard to the confidence and supply agreement which allowed all that to happen. We saw good co-operation. Co-operation is key. Above all else, I thank the community call, the people in every one of the 31 local authorities who enlisted volunteers. That was important. Finally, I thank the Oireachtas team, particularly Martin Groves, Bridget Doody and their team. I also thank the ushers, the caterers, the attendants and all of the people who make these Houses, the family of the Oireachtas, work as well as it does. I thank them because it is important to do so.

As I leave for the summer recess, I plead for Members to respect and support one another in this Parliament. I ask that we give legitimacy to criticism and scrutiny of legislation. I ask Members over the summer to think about pledging not to facilitate or acquiesce to the guillotining of legislation or the ramming through of every stage of a Bill in one day. That is not good for democracy. For the sake of the people of this country, we should not do it. Let us think about that before going away and let us come back with vigour and a commitment not to acquiesce to that type of abuse of the democratic process.

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