Consensus sought for university franchise extension

SEANAD REPORT:LEGISLATION WOULD be introduced to extend the university franchise for elections to the next Seanad, if a consensus on reform could not be reached, Environment Minister John Gormley said.

He was responding to Opposition demands that reforms to the franchise for election to the Upper House be put in place.

Mr Gormley said he believed that reform in this area should focus initially on the area of widening the third-level franchise. He was anxious to see Seanad reform advanced on an all-party consensus approach before the next election to the Upper House.

Thirty years had passed since the amendment to the Constitution to extend the higher education constituency, and it was time to put into effect that vote of the people.

Mr Gormley said he chaired the all-party group whose aim was to establish the extent of cross-party agreement on the 2004 report on reform recommendations.

The group had agreed to consider various issues in consultation with their respective political parties. Group members had agreed to respond in writing, prior to its next meeting. He would be circulating the scoping paper this week. “I look forward to receiving views of the group and their respective parties . . . If consensus cannot be reached, it is my intention to introduce legislation by the end of this year. That is as close as I can identify to such consensus.”

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Opposition members reacted with disbelief when Seanad leader Donie Cassidy said that, on behalf of the House, he would call on the Minister for Education to give serious consideration to increasing marks awarded to Leaving Cert students for mathematics and science by 50 per cent. It was in these areas that jobs could be created, he added.

David Norris (Ind) said that as a former teacher he regarded Mr Cassidy’s proposal as madness. It would drive down academic standards and make us a laughing stock.

Fidelma Healy Eames (FG): “It would lower standards.”

John Hanafin (FF) said it was clear that the leader of the House referred to the awarding of additional points for the purpose of admission to third-level education.

Mr Cassidy said there was no misunderstanding. The purpose of his proposal was to encourage the study of maths and science.