As of April 1st, reporters can now use their BlackBerrys and laptops in the Senate chamber.

Chris Rands

This change removes perhaps the greatest irritant for reporters who cover the upper chamber.

Senate security would require reporters to leave their BlackBerrys outside the chamber, before they went in.

Reporters never want to give up their electronic link.

But what was difficult from the reporters' point of view was, while they were up in the gallery with only pen and paper, senators could be seen using their BlackBerrys in their red upholstered chairs below.

Now Senate speaker Noel Kinsella has granted the privilege, as long as they are set to silent.

So bring on the live blogging of the Senate.

Senators have said many times in the past that the red chamber has been the scene of many great debates on the important issues of the day.

Now, maybe more people will actually read and learn about them on the web.

If only they would televise it.

Chris Rands