Possible extinction to produce the best Seanad yet?

The Seanad is back. Long live the Seanad? The 24th Seanad has commenced under a cloud of possible extermination; or at best, a future uncertain and changed. With the announcement of the Taoiseach’s Eleven the Seanad now has its full complement of members and by all accounts, is rearing to go.

Father of the House (the current longest serving member), the erudite Senator David Norris was given pride of place to open the new session. His address referenced the Roman banner of ‘Senatus Populusque Romanorum – the Senate and the Roman People. “They triumphed because those two elements, the Senate and the people, were united, but we have allowed this great institution to become separated and remote from the people we are paid to serve”, he soberly warned. Never a truer word!

In my opening statement to the new Seanad, I stated that “it will ultimately be our actions, contributions, initiatives and fresh thinking that will guide the Irish people in making a decision as to whether the Seanad is worth keeping or not’.

Without doubt the Seanad is a platform – and a useful platform in respect of articulating national, regional and sectoral issues that might not be afforded the same flexibility in the Dáil or within the Committee structures. It is my strong belief that the Seanad – through hardworking and diligent Senators – can operate at that nexus between the legislative and policy activities of the Lower House and the community. In the coming months and years tough decisions will have to be made. Communicating the rationale and minutia will be difficult at times. The Seanad provides the ‘breathing ground’, to assist in communicating these messages. Where, for example would a local TD get to raise an issue, and gain the support of his colleagues on a daily basis? Not the Dáil. A backbench TD may be lucky to speak twice in the month. If there is a constituency problem in Galway West, and the same occurring in Cork, or Louth, the Seanad can provide a forum for a National response.

But after the shame of 14 reports on Seanad reform being published and no steps taken, I was equally happy to endorse to the House, that “the Taoiseach has finally brought the matter to a head and will allow the people to decide”.

Perhaps the 24th Seanad may be the final one, in its current format. But it also has the potential to be the best. Being back is good, certainly, and with such an interesting cohort of people, I expect it to be stimulating and challenging. Enda Kenny’s choice of nominees span the worlds of sport, arts, academia human rights and business, providing a fresh and independent insight. Fiach MacCongaile of the Abbey, Mary Ann O’Brien of Jack and Jill Foundation and Lir Chocolates, Katherine Zappone of the Irish Human Rights Commission will all bring their experiences to bear on our work. Dr. Martin McAleese, whose trojan work in building peace in the North, will be of immense value to the shaping of policy.

A vibrant membership with a higher female representation also, I expect, presents greater potential and scope for the Upper House to be relevant. For the first time, 30% of the House consists of women. In a week that saw plans for a mandatory quota of women going forward for election, I believe the Seanad can be the agent to change the values and culture that makes politics more accessible to women, and mothers. I especially look forward to working with the female Senators in crafting and advocating a ‘political space’ for women, for the benefit this can yield for society.

The first day on the plinth and throughout Leinster House, saw Senators – new and old – milling and mingling. With an atmosphere of a college graduation, new introductions were made and old acquaintances renewed. While at the gates, the IFA boomed and chanted on the fairness of milk prices – a reminder to us Seanadóirí that issues rural and urban, big and small will soon be criss-crossing our desks.

Meanwhile, inside the Chamber, Mayo man, Senator Paddy Burke (FG) was elected unanimously as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. He identified ‘ensuring the positive public perception of the Seanad’ as one of his key priorities. “The ability to embrace change, welcome new opportunities, accept openness and new ways of doing business are the hallmarks of successful and dynamic nations” he said.

Does this look like a Seanad on its way out?