Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for bringing the motion this evening and I thank the secretariat for drafting the motion so expertly.

I sympathise with the proposer on his experience of the duplicity of a former Taoiseach. I cannot speak to that or account for it, or I certainly cannot apologise for it.

I reject the insinuation that Chairs who are supported by Government are somehow impartial or of a lesser quality than those who are otherwise elected. Change is inevitable. That is one thing of which we are certain but this side of the House is not persuaded to support piecemeal reform of the Seanad. Therefore, we are not persuaded to support the motion and we will not vote in favour of it.