Further debate on Seanad abolition
Senators argue that misleading claims about abolishing the Seanad threaten democratic accountability and call for further debate before the legislation proceeds.
I support my Senator colleagues regarding the mistruth being promulgated by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, on possible savings following the abolition of the Seanad. The accounts for this House show that it costs €8.8 million. When one accounts for tax, PRSI and the universal social charge, one arrives at a figure in the region of €4.4 million. It is outrageous that the Minister is now using people with disabilities as bait and saying the money will be diverted towards them when the reality is that the money will be diverted towards new committees, providing extra resources for Deputies and some kind of overarching advisory body that the Taoiseach is to put in place. If the people want evidence of the fact that this is something along the lines of a pre-election promise that will not be honoured, they should note that the pre-budget promise I received that the €7 million taken from the home help service in 2012 would be restored in 2013 was not honoured. Not one cent of it has been restored.
I was at a mass yesterday in Castlecoote marking the 28th anniversary of Fr. Niall Molloy's murder. It was attended by a huge crowd, including family, friends and supporters of Fr. Molloy. Many of them said to me that they wanted to see justice done in this case. Three to four months ago I tabled an Adjournment matter on this issue. The Minister stated the cold case investigation was taking place and that he could not comment any further until it was concluded. It concluded over two months ago and the report has been on his desk for the past two months. The people of Castlecoote, County Roscommon want to see justice done; they want to see a conclusion. If somebody broke the law, they would plead for mercy. The man in question did not break the law but was murdered. We are pleading for justice for him.
Comment on this
I wish to comment on the views expressed on the proposed abolition of the Seanad. The Leader might keep in mind the possibility of allowing further debate on this issue because it asks a very fundamental question pertaining to democracy. Why is misleading information being given by a senior Minister? We are really talking about the protection of democracy at this time. There should be some mechanism, whereby we would not have to get through Report Stage and say that was the end of the matter. There is an opportunity in this House to delay the process and we should use it. On many occasions we have not done so because we did not want to be seen to be obstructive or destructive just for the sake of it. This is a much more fundamental issue. When we enter the silly season of the summer, the referendum will be right on top of us. The reason I am making any contribution and making my request to the Leader is that, over the weekend in the part of the country I was visiting, I was approached by several people who wanted to discuss the proposed referendum. They were asking questions that had not been debated or put before them. The worst thing that could happen is that there would be a smokescreen. It is an insult to the people who will be voting in the referendum. We can postpone this legislation for 90 days. Let people reflect on it and let the debate take place. Let us confront those responsible for providing misleading and inaccurate information. We should do so because we are not answerable to the Minister but to the people.
Comment on this
This is an opportunity for us to do what is right as Senators at this time.