POLL: Should the Seanad be abolished?

[SEANADSUPPORTER]

The Seanad is powerless as it should be - its a collection of failed TDs, wannabe TDs and party hacks with a few eccentric academics all elected from rotten boroughs added for entertainment. The sooner we get to vote for its abolition, the better.

If that's your stance, then let's abolish the Dáil! It's effectively powerless in terms of the individual members. It's most important function is electing the Taoiseach and by de facto, the cabinet who hold the real power. The whip controls everything else and right now there is far greater opportunity for the opposition in the Seanad to achieve more than the opposition in the Dáil in terms of passing it's own bills etc.

The Dáil is full of wannabe Ministers/Ministers of State, county councillors who got lucky in the last election, party hacks and pretty much no academics (eccentric or otherwise).

[Hugo7]

That's not necessarily true. Legislate Taoiseach's nominees prohibiting party political appointments. Extend the university franchise to all graduates of third level institutions (as allowed in the 1979 referendum) and hold Seanad election on the same day as the general election or Local and European elections. However, political parties are part of the democratic system pure and simple and naturally they're going to participate in elections. The whip should not be imposed.

Does an accountant deserve more of the democratic pie than a plumber?

[Cruimh]

For myself - I think a second house is useful and important.

[Rocky]

For myself - I think a second house is useful and important.

I know you don't have full power on anything, but you get along fine in the North without one.

[SEANADSUPPORTER]

Does an accountant deserve more of the democratic pie than a plumber?

Despite the financial strains, there are more people in third level institutions than before. The Seanad is not supposed to be a petty replica of the Dáil, it's supposed to represent distinct strands of Irish society and third level education is one such strand. Other areas like the diaspora, Northern Ireland etc. should also be provided for.

[SEANADSUPPORTER]

I know you don't have full power on anything, but you get along fine in the North without one.

Northern Ireland is not a valid example as the political system is completely different.

[darach]

Northern Ireland is not a valid example as the political system is completely different.

I agree, a power sharing government essentially encompasses the idea of the Seanad. In essence, no ultimatum can be made by the government without consideration to other members of the parliament.

[hurling_lad]

Perhaps there might be a case for keeping the Seanad if some of the many ideas listed by posters on here were ever going to be enacted.

In the real world, however, there is zero chance of any such reforms being enacted if the Seanad is retained and there is, in any case, a far more compelling case that we should focus on reform of the Dáil instead.

I'd prefer one overhauled and more effective chamber rather than two almost equally pointless talking shops.

[SEANADSUPPORTER]

With talk now of a full time Oireachtas TV network being established bringing the proceedings of the Dáil and Seanad to the public, I believe that those who avail of this service will notice the more inclusive and diverse debate in the Seanad. Hopefully it will be established before the referendum to allow people gain a greater understanding of the workings of the Seanad.

[Yongwang]

Absolutely not, Ireland needs the Saenad.