Byrne and D’Arcy take their seats at first Seanad meeting
THE SEANAD sat for the first time last week, with two former Gorey TDs, Michael D’Arcy of Fine Gael and Malcolm Byrne of Fianna Fáil, taking their seats.
The surroundings were certainly different as the senators gathered at Dublin’s Convention Centre, after a full Seanad was formed with the last remaining 12 seats filled by members chosen by the new government.
In Malcolm Byrne’s maiden speech, he spoke about the need to support arts and community organisations as well as artists who have been badly impacted by the pandemic.
Representing his panel, he pointed out that it will take some time for the arts and business sector to recover, and that investing in education and up-skilling will underpin the new approach.
Senator Michael D’Arcy said that Covid-19 dominated all proceedings.
‘It was the first day so we elected a Cathaoirleach and things went quite smoothly. It’s early days yet but I look forward to getting things going.
‘Being in the Convention Centre instead of the Seanad, where I previously served, was most unusual but everything about Covid-19 and this is most unusual,’ he said.
Senator Byrne agreed, describing the experience as surreal.
‘I’ve been to conferences and events at the Convention Centre and it doesn’t have the same atmosphere as it would normally. You’re speaking out to a huge hall as opposed to the Seanad Chamber and politics, by its nature, is about interaction and working with people, so it’s difficult to do that at a distance’.
He is working towards his first bill to be presented on Seanad reform legislation, which has been largely welcomed cross-party.
Both senators said that they were disappointed that no junior ministers were appointed to the Cabinet from Co Wexford.
‘We only have two Wexford TDs in government and, before this, Wexford had a very good position in the cabinet. It is disappointing but we needed a government and I’m glad it’s up and running,’ said Senator D’Arcy.
Senator Byrne said he understood the disappointment on a personal level for James Browne and Paul Kehoe, but that ministerial positions should not be the focus in the current situation.
‘ There were a limited number of positions and that’s always a challenge. Ministerial positions should be based on ability and not on where you’re from, but the focus now should be on trying to keep businesses up and running and get people back into employment.
‘ The scale of the challenge we’re now facing as a country is huge, not just in health but in economics and social issues like mental health. We need to support our communities and shop local,’ said Senator Byrne.