Democracy Matters launches Local Elections campaign for Seanad Reform

Today, Democracy Matters, which successfully campaigned against the Seanad Abolition Referendum last October, launched its Seanad Reform information campaign targeted at all candidates standing in this month’s Local, European and By-Elections.

They were joined by a number of candidates from across the political spectrum who came to be pictured making a photo pledge, showing their support for expanding the franchise for the next Seanad Éireann election. By holding these signs, the candidates expressed their willingness to share the five Seanad Éireann votes they will get as Seanad electors, if they are successful in the forthcoming Local Elections.

Speaking at the event Senator Feargal Quinn said:

“Democracy Matters has launched this campaign to draw the attention of voters to the fact that as well as electing 949 Councillors on Thursday week, they will also, as the law currently stands, be electing members of the Seanad electoral college. Unless the Seanad is reformed, each of the successful candidates elected on 23rd May will personally get five votes in the next Seanad election, while the overwhelming majority of the population will have no say in what voices are to be heard in Seanad Éireann. It’s absurd that this should continue to do be the case.”

Democracy Matters also launched a poster and social media graphic (copy attached) entitled “You want our vote, We want our vote, too!” It asks all voters to remind candidates calling to their doors in the Local, European and By-Election campaigns, that some 8 months after the Government’s failed attempt to abolish Seanad Éireann, the reform supported by the electorate has still not been implemented.

Speaking at the event Senator Zappone said:

“Only a transformation of the basis on which the Seanad is elected by introducing universal adult suffrage, with one person one vote on all Seanad panels, will deliver a truly effective Seanad as a counter weight to absolute control by the Government majority over Dáil Éireann.”

Democracy Matters promised today to keep up its campaign for meaningful reform of Seanad Éireann. It seeks support from candidates hoping to be newly elected Councillors to be put before the new Councils motions calling for legislation to be introduced along the lines of the Quinn-Zapponne Bill. This move would seek universal suffrage for all elected Seanad seats: one person one vote, votes for emigrants and residents of Northern Ireland. Such an electorate would provide an enhanced role for Seanad Éireann in European law-making.

Democracy Matters launched its #CllrShareYourVoteCampaign at Buswells Hotel, Dublin. In its campaign to reform Seanad Éireann, it is calling on all candidates in the forthcoming elections to support universal suffrage to the Upper House and an end to multiple votes for Councillors.