The matter which I wish to raise on the motion for the adjournment is that the Government should take steps to ensure that copies of the Dáil and Seanad debates on the Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill are made available to the public at all post offices and in all public libraries. Before I begin, I must draw attention to the absence in this House of any Government representative. I think the most valuable instrument we have got here is the opportunity to raise matters on the Adjournment. I regret that the Government have not seen fit to treat this motion seriously, as I am treating it. My reasons for this motion come under five headings, although it should scarcely be necessary to show the necessity for such an elementary thing as informing the public on the vital issues that are at stake in the coming referendum. Still, I shall give my reasons.
First of all, we have the fact that this referendum involves a change in the Constitution. That is something which is fundamental and sacred and has been agreed as such by all Parties. It therefore behoves us to have a rational and impartial approach so that if the Government are sincere in their protestations, that they want the public to judge this issue, then the necessary information will be made available to them. My fellow university Senators and I being independent members deeply resent the implications which were made by those on the opposite side against our impartiality. Nevertheless, we will do our duty whether it offends Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Labour; we are here from the universities and that is our task. As long as we go under the label of Independents, we will act as Independents. We have always insisted on the necessity for an impartial inquiry in this matter. We have not got that but we have had the case made by some Government spokesmen that the debates here are a substitution for that impartial inquiry or commission. We had the words of the Minister for External Affairs who said, when we pressed for a commission:
"We have had a commission of 147 men sitting on the proposed change for almost three months in the Dáil and I do not know how long it is going to take here. I think that is the best type of commission."