John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator McDowell. It is very important to have a second Chamber that scrutinises legislation. Everyone in this House takes his or her job exceptionally seriously.

The Supreme Court ruling has been handed down. Senator Malcolm Byrne's Bill goes a way towards addressing that. As a former graduate of the University of Limerick, UL, I welcome the judgment. I do not have a vote to elect Members to the Seanad university panel. I should have it, as should graduates of all the institutes of technology and the new technological universities. There is a strong basis in the proposals put forward by Senator Byrne. Others are of the view that the provision should be much broader. I am sure we will have open and frank discussions on these issues this evening and at other times. We must address the Supreme Court ruling as a priority. It would be a welcome move.

There are several other elements to the Bill before us, including reference to public transportation. Our electoral districts and polling stations have been designed with a view to ensuring, as far as possible, that polling booths are located in close proximity to communities. I certainly can see where the Senators are coming from with their suggestion in this regard in the Bill, but it is not necessary to make special provision on the day of an election.

I welcome this important debate. However, there are fundamental flaws in the Bill, which means the Government will oppose it.