asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans to set up an all-party committee to review the system of election to Seanad Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Election to Seanad Éireann.
1.
Dublin South-East): I have no proposals in this regard at present.
Would the Minister not agree that one of the finer aspects of the reconstitution of the Seanad in 1937, the vocational aspect, has been not just undermined but virtually eliminated by the dominance of the political parties in these elections and that it is virtually impossible for a genuine non-party representative of a nominating body to be elected to the Seanad nowadays? Surely there is a need for reform and review in so far as that situation is concerned.
(Dublin South-East): I would not share the Deputy's view at all.
When last was a non-political figure elected to the Seanad through a nominating body? I do not believe that it has happened in recent times. There is provision for dozens of such people to be elected.
(Dublin South-East): I could not give the Deputy the information as to the last occasion on which a person was elected in that way.
There has not been any.
The last was Mr. Brosnan in 1977.
When did Deputy Deasy last vote for an Independent?
When was one last nominated?
Is the Minister aware of the representations made by the National Youth Council and other organisations asking that Article 19 of the Constitution be invoked? That is the Article that provides vides for direct election to the Seanad by voluntary bodies in substitution for a certain number removed from the present panels. If the Minister is aware of those representations, can he indicate whether the Government have any intention of investigating them with a view to moving on them? This would not require a constitutional amendment but simple legislation.
(Dublin South-East): I am aware of what the Deputy refers to but as I have stated I do not propose to make any such recommendations.
Would the Minister not agree that the question raised by Deputy Deasy is part of a much broader question concerning the Upper House, that is, that the very great potential of the Seanad is not being used fully despite the great efforts of the Leader of the last Seanad during what turned out to be a short lifetime for that Seanad? Has the time not come for us to consider seriously the functions of the Seanad from very many points of view with a view to showing to the outside world that the Houses of Parliament are facing up to the problems of parliamentary democracy in the eighties?
(Dublin South-East): I take the point that the matter is part of a much broader question and one which perhaps would be attended to better by way of a debate but the answer that I have given stands. There are no proposals at the moment on the lines being suggested by the Deputies.
Am I correct in assuming, then, that the Minister is absolutely satisfied with the workings of the Seanad and the methods of election to that House? In other words, are the Government totally satisfied with the Seanad system at the moment?
(Dublin South-East): The answer emphatically to that is yes.
Arising from the reply to Deputy Manning's supplementary, may I take it that the Minister would consider favourably a debate on the matter both in this House and in the Seanad?
(Dublin South-East): My opinion is that such a situation, if it did present itself, would be the best possible forum for discussing the wide aspects to which Deputy Manning referred but the question as it is phrased now does not leave much scope in terms of the reply that I can give. However, if there are certain aspects that Deputy Manning would like to develop, these would form part of another question.
Would the Minister agree that the people do not regard the Seanad as serving any useful purpose since it merely continues debate on matters that have been decided here? Is this not the opinion of the majority of the people and something of which the Minister should take congnisance?
(Dublin South-East): There is a growing awareness or, perhaps, a greater and more sophisticated appreciation of the democratic process on the part of young people particularly but a blanket generalisation of the kind to which the Deputy refers is not giving an accurate appraisal of the situation. It might be misleading to say that the people are inclined one way or another and, therefore, the Deputy would need to be more particular.
Is the Minister aware that it was the intention of the late Mr. de Valera, as Taoiseach in 1937, that members of vocational bodies would have the opportunity of being elected as representatives of those bodies? That is not happening and, consequently, would the Minister not consider that the time has come for a thorough review of the system of election to the Seanad with a view to allowing for the election of representatives of vocational bodies?
(Dublin South-East): In the light of what has been said today I will consider the matter further but I cannot be expected to give an assurance that a general review will take place.
Question No. 2, please.
May I ask one supplementary, please?
I am sorry, but we have been on this question for ten minutes. We must move on.