Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if consideration has been given by the Government to the extension of the Seanad franchise to graduates of DCU and the University of Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14365/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Report on Seanad Reform — April 2004 by the Seanad Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform sets out comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann. The report includes proposals for new arrangements surrounding the nomination and election of Senators, involving radical reform of the vocational panel system to allow for broader enfranchisement, rolling renewal of the Seanad, the introduction of direct popular elections for some or all of the Seanad seats and a widening of the electorate for the higher education constituency.

At the Taoiseach's request, I have agreed to chair an informal all-party parliamentary group to establish the extent of cross-party agreement on the report's recommendations and to advance, with consensus, proposals for the implementation of Seanad reform. I have written to party leaders and am awaiting nominations for the informal all-party group, which I intend to convene shortly in order to advance the recommendations in a timely and inclusive manner.