Seanad debates
Wednesday, 9 October 2002
Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion.
On the question of whether we have too many or too few Senators, I think 60 is about right. For the size of this country, I would not propose changing that number. There is justification for the appointment of the Taoiseach's nominees. It is only right that the Government of the day should be able to have a working majority in the House. However, we should establish in law various groups from which the Taoiseach of the day could pick Senators. For instance, there should a gender quota because of the low number of women in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Taoiseach should pick a nominee who would represent Irish emigrants abroad. He should also pick nominees who represent the social partners. Such groups could be established in law, if there is the intention to do that.
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