THE debate on the future of the Labour Party is already underway. Although we ran a good campaign, 90% of Irish people didn't give us their first-preference vote. I believe it's time to conduct a short and focused organisational review, where we talk to every party member, to people in the community, to business people, trade union members and the voluntary sector to get their views on our future direction.

There's a perception among potential supporters that 'Labour' is closely identified with ideas associated with a pre-boom Ireland and that we have failed to recognise the huge changes in Irish life that have occurred over the last 15 years. In May, we asked the country to "Make a Change", yet sometimes we appear reluctant to do that ourselves. All organisations need to change with the times whilst still being true to their principles.

We need to consider what identifies us to people. For instance, I think that we need to be seen as more comfortable with national and individual success. Some people think that we are angst-ridden about the economic success of the country and individuals in the last 15 years. This is not the case and indeed is ironic in some ways as we were central to creating the Celtic Tiger. We need to examine our links with the trade union movement and make sure that the relationship reflects the Ireland of today. Interestingly, I know that some people are suggesting that we consider changing the party name. This is not the first time this has come up. For instance, after a poor election in 1927 a name change was mooted too.

What's clear is that even before we start a campaign, we are cutting off potential voters. Some see us as a sectional party rather than one that represents all of society. Of course this is not true, but if people see us like this, we have to accept that it's our problem, not theirs. We can afford to be sentimental about this if we want to remain at 10%, but if we want to grow our vote, then we need to start reflecting on how we present ourselves as a party.

Over the next five years in the Dail and the Seanad, we must hold the government to account and interrogate their policies or approach to politics. However, we need to avoid the trap of opposition for opposition's sake, as many voters perceive us to be defined primarily by our outright opposition and negativity. I want Labour to be defined by what we stand for rather than what we are against. We now have the chance to conduct a debate, the result of which should be a stronger party, with a positive vision and plan for Ireland.

A thousand years of experience en route to a Seanad seat

SINCE my election to the Seanad, people have commented that the campaign must have worn me out. The reality was quite different. For a Labour Party candidate, it's more like an exciting road trip than a gruelling canvass.

For instance, in my panel, there were 13 Fianna Failers chasing five seats and 15 Fine Gaelers chasing three seats.

Each of these candidates had to ask their 300 party councillors for their vote.

In most panels, such as mine, Labour only ran one candidate. So, unless we really annoyed a councillor (some), or unless they were already annoyed with HQ (a small few), then there was a fair chance we would gain that vote.

I found the whole experience to be an education. I suppose the combined experience of all of the councillors I met added up to over 1,000 years. I learned a lot talking to them, not just about local government but also about their hopes and dreams for the party and the nation.

I feel like I've got a much better understanding of what makes the party tick.

Winning six Seanad seats demonstrates how effective a force we can be when we work together.

The time has come to return the nation to local governance I WAS glad to see that minister Gormley is proposing a review of local government, to include possibly setting up new town councils for our growing communities.

Where I'm from in east Meath the population of villages such as Duleek has increased by 50% in five years. On the coast, places such as Mornington, Bettystown and Laytown have changed from seaside villages into one homogenous urban area. Yet most of the key decisions affecting the area are taken many miles away in Navan.

I have been campaigning locally for new councils for years, but up to now my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. I'm welcoming Gormley's move because it means that local communities will have much greater control of how their area develops, including how local taxes are raised and how funds are spent.

The time for action has long since passed and I know from the Seanad trail that it is not just an issue for Meath.

It affects growing communities throughout the country.

Of course, the key issue will be whether Gormley balks when confronted with the cost or with the potential loss of local fiefdoms by sitting politicians. I hope he delivers.