NUI PANEL:NEWLY ELECTED Senator John Crown has pledged he will "never, ever" stand in another Seanad election where the electorate is defined as narrowly as it is at present, with only graduates and other elected politicians entitled to vote.
The leading cancer specialist, who was running for the first time, said he was “extremely honoured” that National University of Ireland (NUI) graduates had elected him but added that the current mode of election of the Upper House was “an affront to democracy”.
There should be fundamental constitutional change, “so that we will have politicians who are focused on national issues in one chamber and politicians who still are responsive to the needs of local communities in the second chamber”, he said
Introduced as a “freshman” Senator, Prof Crown paid an emotional tribute to his late father, Jack Crown from Lurganboy, Co Leitrim, who emigrated to New York in 1948.
There wasn’t a traffic light in Leitrim at the time, “and there still isn’t”, but his father had become a taxi driver in Manhattan and his hard work had paid for his son’s education. He also paid tribute to “this great university that I owe so much to, and I hope to serve its graduates in the best way I can”.
The Independent Senator asked NUI chancellor and former politician Maurice Manning if the Seanad was actually located in Leinster House and was informed that the chamber was, in fact, the old ballroom and “the most beautiful room” in the building.
Senator Rónán Mullen, who topped the poll with 6,459 first preferences, said that, despite all the talk about abolition, he was not so sure this would be the last Seanad election.
He regarded the “wonderful first preference vote” he had received as an endorsement of what he had tried to stand for, namely, “respect for the dignity of the person at all stages of life”.
His vote was an “affirmation” of the need for a debate and the importance of diversity of opinion in the Oireachtas.
Welcoming the Government’s decision not to abolish the NUI, he expressed the hope the Seanad would also survive.
Under the terms of the McKenna judgment, equal time had to be given to both sides of a referendum proposal and, with so many parties in favour of Seanad abolition, he looked forward to “filling the gap” on the other side.
He did not think the public had heard a real debate as yet on “the importance of our bicameral system”. Reform was necessary but the Dáil was also in need of reform.
In comments directed at retiring senator Joe O’Toole, who was in attendance, he said: “You’re a real class act. It has been very, very impressive to work with you and to learn from you.”
Senator Feargal Quinn said that the Seanad could achieve a huge amount although it needed reform and change.
It was not just the quality of debate in the Upper House, he added: “You can actually do things.”
He had introduced three pieces of legislation, including the very “necessary and needed” Construction Contracts Bill, which was passed by the Seanad last month and was now due to go before the Dáil.
All three Independent Senators were elected on the 24th and final count in the NUI constituency.
