Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I will have to check to see if that is in Standing Orders.

We are deeply honoured that An Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, is addressing us today. I ask Senators to be upstanding for the Taoiseach.

I thank the Taoiseach for being with us in Seanad Éireann today. In his address to the Seanad on its 100th anniversary, he said the Seanad is "a place where it is possible to have a more reasoned and respectful debate". As 33 Senators are here for the first time, they may not have heard the Taoiseach's wise words but I am sure they agree with the sentiment that this is a place for respectful debate.

Ireland has been one of strikingly few continuous democracies for the past 100 years. In an era when democracy is under attack on many fronts and from all sides, it is a lesson that we should never take for granted democracy in Ireland. Local government is the basis and foundation for democracy in Ireland. Many people in Ireland, including the Taoiseach, began their political careers and lives in local government. We in the Seanad have engaged with all voices in our public consultation on the future of local democracy. One of the key recommendations, the establishment of a task force, was included in the programme for Government and that task force is now doing its important work.

During our discussions on the future of local democracy, we had a councillor from the Democratic Unionist Party in the Seanad Chamber to discuss local democracy in Northern Ireland. That shows how the Seanad can be a bridge and how we can work together and learn from one another to improve the lives of all the people on this island. In his contribution on the 100th anniversary of the Seanad, the Taoiseach said, "The Seanad’s discussions about the future of our island are also very welcome." The Seanad Public Consultation Committee subsequently held hearings and discussions on the future of the island of Ireland, hearing the voices of young people from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We also heard from the Rev. Kyle Paisley, son of Ian Paisley. He participated in a discussion with other leaders of all religious faiths in the Seanad Chamber. That again shows how the Seanad can be a place of differing opinions and views, respectfully shared and, more importantly, listened to. During the Taoiseach's address to the Seanad in 2021, he spoke about the shared island unit working for the future of the entire island in a positive, practical and ambitious way and engaging with all communities and traditions. In that regard, he is literally building bridges.

There have been a dozen reports on Seanad reform and we have implemented the reforms it is within the power of the Seanad to implement.Senators now can review the recommendations and reports of Oireachtas committees with the Ministers responsible for their implementation, to see in fact if those recommendations by TDs, Senators and committees are actually being put in place. Another reform which we have implemented is whereby Senators can invite their nominating bodies and panels to the Seanad to debate with the relevant Minister topics of concern and interest. MEPs engage with the Seanad on a regular basis to ensure direct connection between the Seanad and the European Union.

Europe has always been a theme of reports on Seanad reform. As Cathaoirleach, working with all the leaders and the groups, we sought the establishment of a committee on the scrutiny of EU legislation. The Taoiseach's leadership resulted in a Cabinet decision which has been implemented by the Seanad on the establishment of a committee on the scrutiny of EU legislation and a committee on transparency. This reform is more important now than ever. In any given year, the Oireachtas passes approximately 50 pieces of legislation whereas substantive EU legislation can account for 70 to 80 pieces of legislation, running to hundreds of pages. Heretofore, EU legislation was being added to by Government Departments and being signed into Irish law by Ministers without the opportunity for Senators, TDs and Oireachtas committees to see them, bypassing the democratically elected Members and avoiding legislative scrutiny. Thanks to the Taoiseach's leadership, that will no longer happen.

Next year, for the first time since 2013, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the European Union. The Presidency represents an opportunity for Ireland as a small nation to be at the heart of the European Union and to set the agenda at a pivotal time for the EU. When Ireland takes over the Presidency from Cyprus in July, it will allow us to lead by example, to reaffirm the values and principles of the European Union and to advocate for a stronger Europe, one that upholds peace, democracy and solidarity in a challenging wold. I thank the Taoiseach for being here today. We look forward to his contribution.