Madam, – For all the populist appeal of Enda Kenny’s proposal to abolish the Seanad, it ignores the need for a more fundamental reform of our political institutions.
The Seanad, as currently constituted, is a redundant cog in the political process but the same argument could be, and often is, made of the lower house. Neither House of the Oireachtas provides a true parliamentary check on the executive or acts as a truly independent legislature.
Enda Kenny has grabbed the headlines but, if he is sincere about his intentions, he and his party must outline a more comprehensive programme for political reform. This would have to also consider the size of the Dáil and the method of election for all TDs – and not simply 20.
It is quite possible that a fundamental political reform would also endorse the relevance of a reformed upper house.
Clearly, this would need to be reduced in size, with the method for selection or election of members revised to provide proper representation of diverse interests.
This, after all, was the original intention of the Senate, as defined in the Free State constitution. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I fundamentally disagree with Enda Kenny’s proposal to abolish Seanad Éireann. Now more than ever, we need a reformed and revamped Seanad.
Should his proposal be accepted, we would have a single-chamber parliament made up of representatives whose primary responsibility and interest would be to their own particular constituencies.
As the environment in which we live becomes ever more complex, we need a legislature that can have a broader focus than the local parish pump.
The present Seanad was initially designed to ensure that legislation would be critically examined by individuals with particular expertise in the relevant area. The initial aspiration has been stymied by the method of electing our Senators.
With the exception of the university Senators and those appointed by the Taoiseach, the majority are elected within the narrow political party framework.
If our current financial crisis teaches us anything, it is that our legislature needs to be in a position to better understand the consequences of developments.
Dáil Éireann, whose members spend inordinate amounts of time acting as messenger boys for constituents, has shown itself generally incapable of undertaking that role.
Had Deputy Kenny proposed a referendum to change the way in which Senators were elected, I might be more supportive. So long as Seanad Éireann is a playpen of the party political system, it will remain neutered. That must not be allowed to stand.
A reformed and active Seanad with competence and capacity to contribute properly to the legislative process would be money well spent. – Yours, etc,