Seanad debates

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements

 

3:35 pm

Photo of Mary WhiteMary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Mark Daly for sharing time with me.

The proposal to abolish the Seanad has its origins in a speech made by the Taoiseach, the leader of Fine Gael, at his party?s presidential dinner on 17 October 2009. I will never forget the shock and awe of his Seanad colleagues when they were taken by surprise by this announcement. It was fascinating that not one of them knew he was going to make it. The announcement sounded great, particularly as it was claimed it would save ¤25 million, and most of his Seanad colleagues rolled over to concur with him, but some did not. While I do not like throwing bouquets too much at the Opposition, I thank Senator Maurice Cummins for showing leadership in an innovative way.

There have been many reviews of the Seanad and all-party committee reports, the most recent of which on Seanad reform dates from 2004 under the chairmanship of Mrs. Mary O?Rourke. In March 2009, when I spoke on the issue of Seanad reform, the only change I advocated as being capable of early implementation was the extension of the franchise under the university panels as permitted by a constitutional amendment passed 30 years ago. The Seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Election of Members of Seanad Éireann by Institutions of Higher Education) Act 1979 proposed election to the Seanad by universities and other higher institutes of education and was passed by 552,000 people in a referendum.

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