The Government is to appoint a working group comprising former senators and people outside politics to make recommendations within three months on how to reform the Seanad. The group will look at the powers and functions of a reformed Upper House, as well as at ways of electing senators. Any changes would have to be within the existing confines of the Constitution to avoid another referendum.
The former senators are members of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, as well as one Independent, with former minister Mary O'Rourke understood to be the Fianna Fáil representative.
Ms O'Rourke said she had yet to be formally asked, but said she "would be very open" to taking part in the group, which will be chaired by former Fine Gael Seanad leader Maurice Manning. The other two former senators are understood to be Pat Magner, who was a Labour Party senator on three occasions, and Independent Joe O'Toole.
European updates
The eight-member panel will review all proposals made on reforming the Seanad, as well as inviting new ones. Mr Magner last night said that one idea could be to use the Seanad as a forum where MEPs could provide updates on their
European Parliament
work.
Ms O’Rourke was Seanad leader between 2002 and 2007 and chaired a subcommittee on Seanad reform in 2004. Among the subcommittee’s recommendations were that some members should be directly elected; that the Seanad should hold public consultations on proposed legislation; and that it should assess European legislation and scrutinise public appointments.
Since the referendum to abolish the Upper House was defeated last year, the Seanad Committee on Procedures and Privileges has looked at submissions on possible reforms. It will also make its own recommendations.
Widening franchise
The Government’s submission proposed widening the franchise for the university seats to include graduates from all third-level institutions, rather than just
Trinity College
Dublin and the National University of Ireland.
Speaking in the Dáil on the issue earlier this week, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the “working party that I intend to appoint will look at the role of a reformed Seanad within the political process, the powers and functions of a reformed Seanad, the method of election and selection of members of a reformed Seanad, and any other matter” seen as relevant.
Mr Kenny said the group will “report back to Government not later than the end of February 2015”, although some sources suggested the timeframe will not be so tight.
“It is important that these inputs are not overloaded and that we develop a means to progress suggestions where possible and appropriate,” Mr Kenny added. “In order to progress the reform process, the Government will establish a working party to examine the submissions and proposals already made and to seek further submissions.”
