Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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84. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his plans for Seanad reform. [41721/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government stated its commitment to pursuing the implementation of the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform (the Manning Report).

That Report was published in 2015 and it is available on my Department's website.

One of the recommendations of the Report was the establishment of an Implementation Group to oversee implementation of the reforms contained in the Report.

As my predecessor previously said in the House, he agreed with a suggestion made here some time ago by Deputy Martin that this Group should be based in the Oireachtas and should comprise members of the Dáil and Seanad from all parties and groups, with access to independent expert advice as required. He wrote to Party Leaders in September last year seeking their agreement to this approach and their intention to participate. Contacts are continuing with parties to finalise nominations with a view to having the Group up and running as soon as possible.