Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, I have had the privilege of always being able to vote in Seanad elections but others are not so fortunate. Some of the comments the Senator made are not without merit in that regard. I note his comments on the need for a public consultation on any proposals that are brought to Government. I will certainly bring that back to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am aware that this issue has been prominent since the defeat of the referendum proposal to abolish the Seanad in 2013. The Senator referenced the Manning report. There have been two major reports containing recommendations on reforming the election of Members of the Seanad in recent times, the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform, under the chairmanship of Dr. Maurice Manning; and the Report of the Seanad Reform Implementation Group, which was chaired by the Senator. I am confident that the issue will now be addressed by Government in light of the Supreme Court ruling.