Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was not going to speak but I am moved to do so. I am very proud to be supporting Senator Flynn. She is an outstanding candidate. We celebrated during the previous Oireachtas term the centenary of the Seanad. One of the themes was minority voices, major changes, as the Seanad has a record of bringing forward minority and different perspectives. I do not mean in a geographical way, but in a way that cuts across and captures the different experiences and perspectives throughout Ireland as well as major changes. When the Seanad asserts its power and capacity, it has a huge record of making significant change, shifting the dialogue, changing laws and having an impact on people's lives.

We are into the next hundred years now. Like others, I campaigned for retention and reform of the Seanad. I am not going to go into the many different parts of reform. I acknowledge the Cathaoirleach, who tried to bring reforms forward in his period. There has been a betrayal of the message of reform since 2013. People voted to keep the Seanad because they valued it. Bear in mind that most of those who voted in the referendum to retain the Seanad did not have a vote in the Seanad. They voted for something because they saw its value and importance and wanted to be a part of it. The message needs to come across strongly from all of us as Senators that we value the Seanad, that we see it as something different and as adding something important to the political space, and that we recognise that it works a little bit differently and that it has something to bring. Electing Senator Flynn as Leas-Chathaoirleach would have been a wonderful opportunity - it is still a wonderful opportunity - to put a marker down in terms of the idea of minority voices and major change. Regardless of the outcome of what happens today, we should decide collectively to ensure that we use the powers the Seanad has, the responsibility it has and the fact that we all come with very different mandates.Returning Senators will know, and new Senators may learn, that sometimes within their parliamentary parties they will have to really assert that the Seanad has a different perspective on an issue and that Ministers cannot be guaranteed a rubber stamp when they come in here. Sometimes the debate across the House has to be able to lead to change. I would say that whatever the outcome, and this is the same message I gave on the election of the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Chathaoirleach when elected serves the Seanad and does not serve any political party. I know that both candidates understand that. Both Senators Byrne and Flynn know that the Leas-Chathaoirleach does not serve a political party or the Government. The Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach are there to facilitate the Seanad in its fullest sense being as powerful, impactful and relevant to the people of Ireland as possible and a space where genuine change will happen. I hope we can look back, in four or five years' time, at the what the 27th Seanad achieved. Whatever the outcome, I hope that whoever takes on the role of Leas-Chathaoirleach will take that on board and reflect that in their service.