Seanad Reform: 100 Days Since The People Decided,

If There Is A Will, There Is A Way - Democracy Matters

January 2014

Summary

This paper is published by Democracy Matters as a practical blueprint for immediate action to reform Seanad Eireann. The People have spoken on the issue of retaining the Seanad a hundred days ago. They clearly want reform. During the recent referendum campaign, there was an overwhelming consensus both among abolitionists and retentionists that the Seanad needs reform.

However, he admits it could be improved - starting with cutting salaries to €45,000 a year

Senator Feargal Quinn has insisted the Seanad IS working – but admitted there’s room for improvement.

The veteran Independent politician has joined the chorus of voices calling for voters to defeat the government in next month’s crunch referendum and give the green light for Seanad reform...

It is highly regrettable that in advance of a crucial budget, the Government is cynically trying to persuade people that Seanad abolition will somehow cure all our economic ills.

What this country really needs is a proper debate on the type of policies necessary to generate jobs and stimulate investment. Voters need to be clear that abolishing Seanad Éireann will compound Ireland’s economic difficulties, not resolve them.

Today — through no fault of their own — many Irish people are experiencing great hardships.

With the Seanad abolition campaign heating up, there are a lot of questions on the minds of young people as they examine the topic. One simple question for some is simple: “What does the Seanad offer?”

Entrepreneur and Senator Feargal Quinn was asked that in his interview with Future Matters, and was keen to point out that the Seanad offers something the Dáil just doesn’t: a broad array of backgrounds, expertise, and people willing to put their experience to work. “One of the advantages of the Seanad, even the unreformed Seanad, is that it contains a whole range of people with different experience