I move the Second Reading of this Bill. I think the Bill is fully explained in the Title which is pretty exhaustive in its description.

We intend opposing this Bill. We are against the principle of including the Seanad with the Dáil as the electorate. We have explained already at length our reasons and I suppose there is very little use in repeating them. I shall simply content myself with saying that we intend opposing the measure.

Is the Deputy quite clear regarding the purpose of this measure? This is not a measure for the election of members of the Seanad.

It is the same thing.

No. I have, with considerable difficulty and with a certain amount of pain, already explained that this is an extension in favour of the Dáil. The Deputy would, I think, like the Dáil to elect outgoing members of the Seanad. In this case the right at present rests exclusively with the Seanad to fill any casual vacancy and the intention of this Bill is that the Seanad shall be associated with the Dáil on such occasions. If the Deputy objects, I cannot help it.

We think that the evil would be remedied very much better by leaving it to the Seanad alone.

The Dáil alone?

No, the Seanad.

Acting on the principle of making things worse to make them better?

Yes, making things worse to make them better.

We do not agree with that at all.

We do not agree with the Seanad being given the power of reproducing itself and it is well to let the people see things as clearly as they will see them if the Seanad is doing this work itself. We are against the whole thing here. We believe the Dáil should elect the Seanad in the first instance and the Dáil should be the body to fill casual vacancies.

The Deputy does not agree with the Seanad being there at all.

Deputy Carey is penetrated at long last.