Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to accept that. Let me be very clear without being distracted. Everyone in this Chamber knows that for decades - we have piles of reports on Seanad reform - any Government that comes in makes sure that fundamental Seanad reform does not happen. We know that. My point is that I am a little concerned that we will all say the right things today but there will be a blockage at some point.

The reason we tabled these amendments was because we cannot afford to leave this issue in the lap of the gods. We need to make sure that there is follow-up. The reason we tabled these amendments was to have this conversation with the Minister of State. It is good.

I was told the Minister of State will make a very clear statement that one of the first acts of the electoral commission is to examine this issue and deliver a clear recommendation on it. That is very important and welcome, but we also need a timeline for that. We are wonderful in these institutions at talking about things and just not delivering. The last Seanad is an example of that in terms of a very good Bill that was frustrated by Government parties.

It would be great to have the Minister of State make that clarification and make it clear, but we just need to deliver on this. Sinn Féin’s record is extremely strong in this regard. It is good to hear people on the Government benches making very positive and genuine statements about this issue as well. We need to have voting rights for 16- and 17-year-olds. I cannot be more clear about that.There is a fear in my mind because, unfortunately, these Houses have a big habit of ignoring even really good reports and recommendations. A simple example is the recommendation to extend the franchise for this House, which has sat there since 1979. Government after Government ignored it, including this one. My point is a simple one. The Minister of State should give us a clear statement in terms of his own position, what the commission will be instructed to do, how the issue will be prioritised and a timeline so that people in this Chamber will have real hope in terms of seeing a significant change that I hope all of us want to see happen as soon as possible.