David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made regarding Seanad reform included in the Agreed Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20562/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to determine the extent of cross-party agreement on the recommendations of the April 2004 Report on Seanad Reform by the Seanad Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform, and to advance proposals for implementation. The Report sets out comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann.

I consider that Seanad reform should be advanced on the basis of an All-Party, consensus approach, insofar as possible. Representatives of each of the Parties have been invited to attend a meeting of the All-Party Group on Seanad Reform on 18 June 2008. The aim of the Group will be to establish, in a small number of meetings, the extent of cross party agreement on the recommendations of the Seanad Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform's 2004 Report.