Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is good to include third level institutes and graduates. I welcome the fact that NUI will become the overarching body and will register everybody.

I agree with Senator Mullen that the people who are already on the register should be transferred over but a publicity campaign is necessary to let people know because many people have gone through the system, graduated and may not be aware that they are entitled to a university vote, once this legislation is enacted.

When I think of the lobbying that went on for many years, I wish to pay tribute to a former colleague, Mr. Diarmuid Scully. He is a former counsellor in UL, is a graduate of UL and was a lecturer in UL. He went on to be involved in electoral reform around the directly-elected mayor process. In his earlier days as a member of the council, he was one of the first people who started shouting about the fact that graduates of UL and other institutes should have a Seanad vote. I think of him and the many others who were involved in that issue and believe that the decision made last year was the right one. As for the A list, will we have an A list and a B list similar to the position in Europe at present? Also, how do people get involved? Do they need to be nominated? Can people put themselves forward? How do they get on the list?

I agree with what Senator Malcolm Byrne said about some private institutes. Many of them are recognised in the State. They are level 9 degrees even though they were granted by a private institute. I think of places like Griffith College and Marino College that often fall between the stools in terms of support because they are private institutes. I ask the Minister to consider this matter.

This is a good news story and is the right way to go. However, I am disappointed that the provision will not be in place for the next Senate election but understand the reason. I believe that the provision should be implemented as soon as possible and that the Bill should pass all Stages, possibly under the current Government, because the people who graduated from all the different universities and third level institutes have fought for such recognition for a long time. It is a good news story today and I thank the Minister for bringing forward this Bill on Second Stage. I conclude by wishing the Bill every success.