Enda Kenny calls for the Seanad to be abolished

[David Cochrane]

Would this require a referendum?

Yes. The abolition of the Seanad would require a change to the constitution, and thus a referendum.

[ditchhurler]

So these initiatives would save €150m in a full year.... this takes care of the budget deficit from the 1st until the 4th January next year based on our current borrowing levels.

Populist for sure, but let's not forget the bigger picture in terms of the real challenge facing us.

[smithfield1]

Until the people vote to abolish the Senate, of course FG contest Senate elections and Taoiseach's nominees will be apointed. That in no way takes away from his intention to ask the people to abolish it. If the other parties agree, we can have the referendum on the same day as the next general election. If not then the new Senate will be the last, if the people agree.

[TommyO'Brien]

How ridiculous is that?! There has to be an upper house in every parliament - to act as a checking mechanism and curb the excesses of the lower house. Just because our Seanad doesn't do that is not a reason to abolish it - it's a reason to reform it, drastically.

The vast majority of constitutions for countries of our size do not have upper houses. New Zealand for example survives with a single chamber parliament and 120 MPs. Do you regard is New Zealand, Denmark, Israel and tons of other states as ridiculous?

[DuineGael]

What is he actually saying about health care - is he going to abolish private care?

Sort of the opposite
see link below to explain more
FairCare

[Squib]

We will also review the electoral system with a view to allowing for the election of a limited number of people with particular expertise gained outside of politics.

Shouldn't the Seanad be filled with people from outside politics in order to check the Dail?

People who are motivated by a desire to provide a "Public Service" rather than the bunch of failed politicians we have now, who really just rubber stamp government policy.

This would prevent insane legislation like NAMA being passed without some real examination.

[Sailor]

Sort of the opposite
see link below to explain more
FairCare

Thanks - that was what I was trying to say actually. In other words, no premium service for the rich or self-insured. End of all the private clinics.

[the king]

abolish Fine Gael & Finna Fail more like.

[TradCat]

Great leadership from Kenny. I accept that some members of the Senate have made a contribution to national life but most of them don't. Most of them are Dail rejects who are permanently campaigning to get back into the Dail. Such a platform gives them a huge advantage over other candidates who have to work for a living.

I'm delighted to see FG responding to the public demand for political reform.

[PrinceMax]

I'm pretty surprised Kenny has suggested this. He never tends to suggest anything radical. I'd now consider voting from them, but I wonder would the actually carry this through.
The Senate has no power. It is absolutely pointless. Lucky it doesn't, because it is completely undemocratic. Why would anyone want a politician who loses their seat, to have any say in how the country is run. If it is reformed and everyone could vote, then would it not just be similar to a second Dáil. Whoever would have a majority in the Dáil would still have one in the Senate - and they'd just vote with their party counterparts in the Dáil. It is a complete waste of money.