Extension of Seanad abolition debate
Senator Ó Clochartaigh sought longer debate time and the Taoiseach’s attendance for discussion of the Seanad abolition Bill; the Chair and other Senators clarified the debate arrangements.
Tacaím leis an leasú atá molta ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Cullinane, maidir leis na díospóireachtaí inniu agus athrú a dhéanamh ar an Ord Gnó. I support the call by my colleague, Senator Cullinane, to extend the amount of time that is being given today in the presence of the Taoiseach to discuss the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013. We need to do that in the interests of democracy.
What is the Taoiseach afraid of? Is he afraid of a debate on this issue? No one here will attack him in any way but there are many issues surrounding the potential abolition of the Seanad that need to be teased out. I doubt I will get time to contribute to the debate today. The way the Order of Business is being set out, it does not look like a Sinn Féin spokesperson will get to speak.
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The Taoiseach will not be back to hear our opinions when he needs to.
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It is the Bill we are discussing, not the Taoiseach.
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The reason I am raising this issue is pertinent.
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Senator Ó Clochartaigh does not know if he will be back.
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Maybe The Taoiseach will be back but perhaps the Leader will clarify that. I note, for example, the Taoiseach has no issue in going to Davos for a couple of days to speak to people there. He had no issue in spending a couple of hours climbing Croagh Patrick with Trapattoni when he needed to, or cycling a greenway. He had no issue-----
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I do. The Taoiseach had no issue recently in spending a full day in Connemara opening extensions to schools, where he was welcome. What is the Taoiseach afraid of? Why will he not come in here for a number of hours to discuss the Bill and listen to everybody's opinion on it? That is the least he could do before he intends to scrap the Seanad. If he is so sure of his position on this question, what is he afraid of? That is what I would ask. It is only appropriate on this occasion that there be an extension to the amount of time given and a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will stay to listen to the opinions of all 60 Senators, if that is what they wish.