Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know there have been difficulties. Senators Mullen and Byrne and others commended the NUI on the work done. As the central registration authority, they are the right people to do that. We have an opportunity to get the Seanad register up-to-date and in a modern format once and for all, but it will require reregistrations. All those on the existing NUI and University of Dublin registers who meet the eligibility criteria will be contacted to confirm whether they want to be added to the register for the new higher education constituency. They will also be informed that their entitlement to vote in the upcoming Seanad election still stands. This is something we can look at on Committee Stage. I expect there would have to be a public information campaign around this, on top of writing out to people. I know there have been previous issues with electoral registers for the Seanad. It is something we will certainly look at.

I want to move this legislation forward as quickly as possible. Even though some may believe it to be imperfect, it is the most significant step forward. Even for those who say the Bill is an insult and disgraceful, and they can use all the emotive language they wish, the fact remains it is the single biggest reform of the Seanad in decades. It might not be something that some Senators agree with but if we want to reform the Seanad further, it is certainly a step in the right direction. To anyone who opposes the Bill, one could say that we can try to work constructively together on Committee Stage. There is also the idea that I do not have permission from the Government under the programme for Government to bring forward proposals to extend the franchise to the North of Ireland. I know that former Senator Manning, who is a superb individual, did a significant amount of work, as did other Senators. I ask the Senators to look at the legislation that is in front of them.