Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will, and I have made my point on that. I thought it was a useful point but people will make their judgments on it.

All that being said, I learned in recent times that my friend Senator Boyhan intended to put his name forward. I agree with everything he has said. It is important we have elections. It is important and desirable for us to have a secret ballot for the election of the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann. It would be a very good thing if, in the near future, we had an Independent in the Chair of Seanad Éireann. That was to some degree reinforced for me when a Fine Gael friend asked me today whether my vote could be relied on today, even though two thirds of the House are in the bag. I must be honest and say I would like to vote for both candidates. If there was a chance Senator Boyhan would be elected today, I would give him my vote because he is in my group, is a personal friend and it would signify something very important. However, I do not want on this day that is the crowning of Senator Buttimer's political life so far to in any way withhold my vote from him, whom I rejoice to see elected.

It has already been said that Senator Buttimer has big shoes to fill in following Senator Mark Daly's excellent contribution to raising the profile, credibility and prestige of Seanad Éireann. There are a couple of things the Senator could do for us when he comes to the Chair, those being, to use his influence to ensure the Standing Orders and the way they are interpreted operate to allow us to make the maximum possible contribution to deliberation on legislation. The number of times Members have amendments ruled out of order because they could involve a charge on the Exchequer, and the way that is interpreted, is absolutely ridiculous. Those votes are never going to be won and if they were, they would be no more than recommendations and even if they were amendments accepted by the House, the Dáil would be able to override them anyway and do so within a very short time if there was a money dimension to them. It is really important we open our minds about that. I think Senator Norris has spoken on it before.