Norris warns Seanad facing political extinction

MEMBERS OF the new Seanad have been told they are facing political extinction unless they can demonstrate to the Government and people alike that the Upper House should be reformed rather than abolished.

In line with normal practice, Senator David Norris, who has the longest period of continuous membership, presided over the election of the incoming Cathaoirleach of the Seanad yesterday.

In an impassioned plea against making the Seanad a “scapegoat for the entire ills of the nation”, he added: “The entire Oireachtas needs reform, not just Seanad Éireann alone.”

“The eagles of the Legions of the Roman Republic set forth to battle emblazoned with the letters SPQR (Senatus Populus Que 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.

“It would be a serious step at this stage arbitrarily to amputate one of the two legislative arms of the State. No army in history has prevailed by mutilating itself in advance of a battle.

“Like an army, the Senate should be reorganised, drilled and disciplined, keeping ourselves honed in mind and body for the coming conflict,” he added.

Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke, who was elected unopposed as Cathaoirleach, said the Seanad “has an important role to play in Irish politics”.

“My priority as Cathaoirleach will be to ensure that there is a positive public perception of the Seanad and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my predecessors and the other distinguished holders of this office.

“I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards they have set and will maintain the excellent record of impartiality and fairness which has been the hallmark of cathaoirligh of Seanad Éireann.”

Newly elected Senator John Crown said: “It is not in the gift of any Senator to decide if this is the last Senate, but it is in our gift to decide if is the best Senate.” As a member of the medical profession, he drew attention to the plight of doctors and nurses, some of them Irish-trained, who are on trial in Bahrain for treating people who came to their casualty department following recent protests.

Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane said it was “remiss” of the Taoiseach not to include “somebody from the unionist community in the North” among his 11 Seanad nominees. One of those nominees, Senator Jim Darcy, responded that “it might have been a good idea” to nominate Helen McKendry, daughter of the late Jean McConville from Belfast, who was abducted and killed and her body secretly buried by the IRA in 1972.

Leader of the Fianna Fáil group Senator Darragh O’Brien, told the new Cathaoirleach: “I am certain you will do a fantastic job.”