SEANAD:CROSS-PARTY support for a motion to improve the lives of those with disabilities was proof the Seanad should be retained, said the leader of the House, Senator Maurice Cummins (FG).

The motion, which was put forward by a group of Independent Senators led by Mary Ann O’Brien and Marie Louise O’Donnell, was supported by all sides after the Government parties and Sinn Féin withdrew their amendments on Wednesday evening.

It called for inspection of disability services, a law to replace the 1871 Lunacy Act and a welfare system that promoted the needs of people with disabilities.

Mr Cummins said it had been an “excellent debate” and showed what the Seanad could do. “If we have a referendum and if the people are not aware of what happens in this House, it will be very difficult for them to make an informed decision. The media have a role to play but they are not playing a proper role currently.”

He criticised many media commentators who had a lot to say about the future of the Seanad but “we seldom see any of them in the House reporting on it”.

Fiach Mac Conghail (Independent) said the debate on disabilities had been “rich and informative”, without any political point-scoring, and showed the Seanad could deal with “contentious and sensitive issues imaginatively”.

David Norris (Independent) described it as one of the best debates he had been involved with in his time in the Seanad. He praised the contribution of the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities Kathleen Lynch for her contribution.

“As a result of the debate, the position of the disabled has been improved and this House has had a significant impact on Government policy.”