Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I share the concerns of my colleagues on the matter. We have two very fine candidates and I mean that sincerely. I was in this process for the job of Cathaoirleach after the previous election so I know how it plays out. We need to ask ourselves, particularly as we start afresh in this Senate: are we committed to its reform? Can we work collectively together, not against one another, to support this House and give confidence in this House?

I always say to people when I speak in here that I am not really speaking to those who are in here, because I am speaking to the people, who are looking in on Oireachtas television, who are here or who may watch an RTÉ news bulletin tonight, talking about what is happening. Why is it that in Dáil Éireann down the stairs from here, there was a democratic election process by secret ballot? It was because the Members took it in their hands and made a decision to amend their Standing Orders. We have a separate set of Standing Orders. We on this side of the House have fought collectively together to bring reform. We bought many proposals to have a secret ballot and we said this would come up time and time again. However, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens blocked that reform.

Are Government Members going to sit here again and nod their heads in surprise or will they stand up here today and give a commitment that they will go to their parliamentary party meetings tonight and say it is about time that we bought an element of democracy into the proceedings of the Upper House, this House that we are proud to be elected to? That is the challenge and that is what I am asking them to do. I am asking them to go to their parliamentary party meetings when they next take place and make a strong case of conviction that they believe we should have a secret ballot, as their counterparts, their colleagues, in Dáil Éireann are doing this very afternoon.

However, for some reason it is not possible. They do not permit it because of the party whip structure, so-called discipline or direction from the party leadership. I believe it is wrong and I believe we will have to learn a lesson. I would like to think that within days if not weeks we would commit to reforming this House because the people outside looking in are getting fed up.

I will finish on this. How can Government Members explain to the public outside listening in that while Dáil Éireann, this very afternoon, can have a secret ballot to elect its Leas-Cheann Comhairle, in this House to elect our Leas-Chathaoirleach, it is not permitted? That is not democracy and we need to address it, not nod our heads and go on in denial. We can make that change and we can make that decision. Let us take on that task.