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An Cathaoirleach:    That is not relevant to the Order of Business.

Senator Paul Coghlan:    It is not to defend him.

Senator Mark Daly:    It was for the purpose of clarity. As I did not get an opportunity on the last day on which the House sat, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. In addition, I congratulate my constituency colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, on being made Whip — a more affable man one could not meet. I also congratulate Senator Cummins on being made Leader of the House. He discussed the issue of Seanad reform and I suppose the system failed the people. Had the Government, the Dáil and the Seanad been working as they should, Ireland and its citizens would not find themselves in the present position, namely, in a dark place in which one can envisage a return to unemployment and emigration. One can envisage a return to the past in which citizens see a future not in Ireland but in another land.

Moreover, the future of this House is in doubt because people believe it is not fit for purpose. Then again, neither is the Dáil or the Government. The entire system failed the people and if the forthcoming referendum contains only one substantial proposal, namely, the abolition of the Seanad, that will not constitute reform. That will not prevent the type of catastrophe in which we now find ourselves.

An Cathaoirleach:    Does the Senator have a question for the Leader or is he seeking a debate?

Senator Mark Daly:    As the Leader brought up the issue of Seanad reform, I ask whether such reform will be comprehensive and will it simply be about Seanad reform? When the issue is being debated in this Chamber, will the debate be about legislators legislating to pre-empt disaster, rather than talking about it after the event? In essence, that will be the benchmark. Reform of this House, the Dáil and the Government will be benchmarked against a single issue, namely, whether it will prevent the kind of catastrophe in which we find ourselves at present. Unless it does so, it does not constitute reform of these Houses but merely a papering over of the cracks. I commend the Taoiseach on his nominees. It is welcome that it took him four weeks to nominate them, because although choosing from 4.42 million people is no easy task, he appears to have found some extraordinary individuals who undoubtedly will make an enormous contribution to this House.

Today’s newspapers mentioned a report from the World Health Organization on mobile telephones and the danger to children. In the last Seanad, Members from this side of the House published a Mobile Phone Radiation Warning Bill, which proposed that a warning label be put on all mobile telephones. I note the European Environmental Agency proposed the precautionary principle and that it took 47 years to prove that tobacco caused cancer. Moreover, a labour court in Italy gave compensation to an employee because he was using mobile telephones as part of his work.

An Cathaoirleach:    Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?

Senator Mark Daly:    Yes. In addition, Lloyd’s of London refuses to insure any mobile telephone company because it is unable to quantify the risk. I hope Members opposite, some of whom do not see this House as being fit for purpose, might consider supporting this legislation.