John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to make a number of points on the section related to the definitions in the Bill. I welcome this long overdue legislation to reform part of the Seanad. The Minister has been quite clear, as has the Minister of State, that this is a process. This is not the end of what Seanad reform will be but it is a significant stepping stone.

I am fortunate enough to have voted in the 2009, 2014 and 2019 Seanad elections. I was elected in 2009, 2014 and 2019 and in the Seanad elections in 2011, 2016 and 2020. I have had the opportunity on three occasions, as a councillor, to vote in a Seanad election. I too am a graduate of the University of Limerick and if I was not fortunate enough to have been a member of Waterford City and County Council at that time I would not have been able to exercise a franchise in Seanad Éireann. It is right and appropriate that the franchise is being extended to those universities, and now technological universities, that have not had the opportunity for their graduates to take part in Seanad elections.

I know there are a lot of points that people will make that the Bill does not go far enough, should extend here or go further there, but the legislation before us is significant in and of itself. This House is a really important Chamber. My father is a former Leader of this House and campaigned to keep the House at that time when the referendum took place. We have a really important role in checks and balances to legislation that go through. Of course, we debate these things. I am not, as a Government Senator, saying that this is the be all and end all and the end of Seanad reform. It is not and we need to do more. That will fall to the next Government but I want to ensure this Government plays its tangible role in progressing this legislation and that is why I am supportive of the Bill.