Madam, – Given the scale of the current crisis, it is only just that every element of the public sector, even Ireland’s parliamentary system, be subjected to forensic economic examination. That said, calls for Seanad reform from the likes of this paper and Opposition parties are almost risible.
Viewers of RTÉ’s Oireachtas Report will know that the Seanad is perhaps the only consistent source of comedy to be found on Irish television. Just the other evening, one Labour senator celebrated the musical style of Barry Manilow. Any reform that cheapens the quality of this masterful work of political satire would add recessionary insult to recessionary injury. – Yours, etc,