Abolish Seanad

Alan_H_1991 · 19-10-2011 10:43pm #1

Can someone please give me some valid reasons why the Seanad should and should not be dissolved

just bullet points

only elaborate on one or two of your points if you can

thanks

oppenheimer1 · 19-10-2011 10:53pm

Alan_H_1991 wrote: »

Can someone please give me some valid reasons why the Seanad should and should not be dissolved

just bullet points

only elaborate on one or two of your points if you can

thanks

Because when you combine it with the reforms (power grab) that the sitting government want to make to the constitution it makes the executive all powerful and weakens the opposition voice even further.

The senate shouldn't be abolished but reformed. And by the way the two referendums next week should not pass either.

gurramok · 19-10-2011 11:21pm

I have no vote to the Seanad just like 90%+ of the population so yes it is a slur on democracy that it still exists.

nesf · 19-10-2011 11:30pm

Start a debate, don't just ask for people's opinions!

Focalbhach · 19-10-2011 11:55pm

I don't think he really wants a debate.

nesf · 20-10-2011 12:00am

Focalbhach wrote: »

I don't think he really wants a debate.

That was my first thought but his other posts have been about going back to college which makes me question whether this is homework.

Focalbhach · 20-10-2011 12:04am

nesf wrote: »

That was my first thought but his other posts have been about going back to college which makes me question whether this is homework.

We used to get homework when I was in college... it was just called an 'assignment' or some such, with a longer timespan

I guess we can't know one way or the other, but the phrasing seems rather odd otherwise!

Killer Pigeon · 20-10-2011 11:41am

Well if the Seanad were ever to remain in existence, then senators should be elected by universal suffrage.

mikemac · 20-10-2011 11:43am

Either give it more power or abolish it

And if it's supposed to be a check on the Dáil then take away the Taoiseach's ability to nominate their cronies

A Taoiseach with a majority and backing from the cabinet can put through pretty much anything they want.
And they appoint the Attorney General who will ensure it'll get past the President and Supreme Court

So maybe going offtopic maybe the Attorney General should be an independent office too and not one given to government of the day supporters

bamboozle · 20-10-2011 1:11pm

the last Dail Bill rejected by the Seanad was in 1964 the pawnbrokers bill - this vote was only rejected as it took place at 10.30pm by which time all the FF senators had gone home!!)

pointless talking shop & ex TD retirement home

aloyisious · 12-09-2013 7:49pm

I got the Referendum Commission's independent guide to the "Seanad and Court of Appeal" referendums today. I had been thinking that, despite the saving allegedly to be made by scrapping it, that having the Seanad there as a safeguard against totalitarian Govt was a good idea.

Page 6 has this piece:
Referralof Bills to the People
The constitution provides that Bills may be referred to the people for a referendum if a majority of members of the Seanad and not less than one third of the members of the Dail ask the President not to sign a bill because it contains a proposal of such national importance that the decision to have such a law should be made by the people.

If this referendum is passed:
: This possibility of the reference of Bills to the people by the President will be removed from
the Constitution.

The next Para in the guide read's as: Approval of certain EU proposals.
At present, Ireland may adapt and implement the proposals and laws only if this is approved in advance by both the Dail and Seanad.
If the referendum is passed: Only the approval of the Dail will be required for the adaption of such EU laws and decisions.

Those two parts above have me worried. I don't know if there is any other part of the Constitution that allow's the President to ask the People to decide on a Bill by referendum, so I have had my reservations increased on the abolishing of the Seanad increased several-fold.

What are other people's view's on the proposal to abolish the Seanad?

Cerco · 12-09-2013 11:34pm

I think the vast majority would like to see a reformed Seanad. However the Seanad cannot reform itself and the Government of the day, no matter which hue, will make meaningful reforms because it would weaken their own power to push through legislation etc. A reformed Seanad would hold the Government of the day to account.

Sir Humphrey Appleby · 13-09-2013 8:10am

bamboozle wrote: »

the last Dail Bill rejected by the Seanad was in 1964 the pawnbrokers bill - this vote was only rejected as it took place at 10.30pm by which time all the FF senators had gone home!!)

pointless talking shop & ex TD retirement home

What about legislation that originated in the Seanad like Fergal Quinns Bill giving protection to sub contactors which is now law?
Over 550 amendments to legislation have been passed in the Seanad in recent years.
What about scandals raised in the Seanad which would not have been discovered otherwise like Shane Ross exposing the corruption FAS and indeed CIE?
The Seanad needs reform, no question but not abolition, if abolished the Government will be all powerful without any oversight.
This is nothing but a powergrab of Haughey-esque proportions by Enda.
And it is predicated on false arguments and false promises of Dail reform.

golfball37 · 13-09-2013 9:59am

If the people calling this a power grab are so exercised they can always re-introduce some form of upper house next time they are power. The Seanad is a gravy train for cronies and friends of the great and the good, not to mention Political failures.

It should be abolished as it is un-reformable in its current guise and serves no meaningful purpose.

I say tear it down and start again, with an upper house of elected reps in the near future.

An Coilean · 13-09-2013 10:31am

golfball37 wrote: »

If the people calling this a power grab are so exercised they can always re-introduce some form of upper house next time they are power.

I don't ever expect to be in power. (Barring a glorious revolution of some kind, in which case you can be sure I wont be havin any checks or ballences on my power)

It should be abolished as it is un-reformable in its current guise and serves no meaningful purpose.

Unreformable? Anything to back that up? It could be extencivly reformed through legislation in the morning.

I say tear it down and start again, with an upper house of elected reps in the near future.

So mangle our constitution for no particular reason?

Scofflaw · 13-09-2013 3:50pm

An Coilean wrote: »

So mangle our constitution for no particular reason?

Well, we'd save ourselves the price a litre of milk each, maybe. Every year!

cordially,
Scofflaw

Days 298 · 13-09-2013 4:44pm

Reasons to get rid of it...

Its delightful contributions during the life saving abortion bill by Fianna Fail senators the biggest party wanting to retain it. Show how useless it is. One of the most watched, reported and important bills passed in recent times.

Senator: Abortions would deprive future Special Olympians of life
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/senator-abortions-would-deprive-future-special-olympians-of-life-237179.html

FF Senator Jims Walshs description of abortion caused another member who had an abortion to beg for the descriptions to stop
Video of his despcription here 7:40 on:

David Norris hostile to Regina Doherty, head of elections, as she is a newcomer to poilitcs. Saying she is talking from her vagina about the abolition of the Seanad bill.

Every party bar FF want it gone now even SF! Why didn't FF reform it in the good times? Why do the have a problem with they idea of a majority government now rather than when they had it. Its elitism, only 3% of the pop can vote for its members. The seanad has no effect on anything. They can only delay bills, it does not provide check on the Dial. Its like a bunch of schoolkids shouting their heads off inside there being paid €65000 a year. If given more power it would provide undemocratic checks on democratically elected TD's bills.

I dont care how little it would save, politicians must show they are willing to do something rather than continuously promise reform. People don't want big things cut so complaining that it cost little to run makes no sense. Surely small unimportant things should be cut.

If someone inside the Seanad is of any public service they can run in front of the people for a Dail seat. Over 50% of members are people who tried and failed to be elected as a TD.

Its not a power grab because how can one ultimately grab power from a powerless entity.

FF had years to reform it. FG said they would seek its abolition, at least an electoral promise is being kept. FF's manifesto said they would abolish it too. Reform is a very loose word that is being thrown about and most likely nothing would change if it wasn't for this referendum.

I want it gone.

View · 13-09-2013 4:49pm

An Coilean wrote: »

So mangle our constitution for no particular reason?

Removing something that serves no useful purpose isn't "mangling" the constitution.

If we did NOT have the Seanad, who on earth would even propose, much less vote for, a body like we currently have constituted? After all, what would the proposed purpose of such a body be? And, if we can't identify what its purpose is, why do we need it?

Scofflaw · 13-09-2013 5:01pm

Its elitism, only 3% of the pop can vote for its members.

The seanad has no effect on anything.

These are actually contradictory arguments. The Seanad cannot be meaningfully elitist if it has no power.

They can only delay bills, it does not provide check on the Dial.

It's not intended to. It would be a sad thing to abolish something simply because one doesn't think it's doing a job it's not supposed to do.

If given more power it would provide undemocratic checks on democratically elected TD's bills.

Which is why it doesn't have that power, only delay, scrutiny and amendment.

Whichever side of the debate on is on, the debate should be grounded in an understanding of why the Seanad is there and the job it is supposed to be doing, not arguments like these.

regards,
Scofflaw

Scofflaw · 13-09-2013 5:07pm

View wrote: »

Removing something that serves no useful purpose isn't "mangling" the constitution.

If we did NOT have the Seanad, who on earth would even propose, much less vote for, a body like we currently have constituted? After all, what would the proposed purpose of such a body be? And, if we can't identify what its purpose is, why do we need it?

The purpose of the Seanad is to provide expert scrutiny and amendments to Dáil legislation (hence the vocational and university panels), as well as a reflective check on the Dáil - or, more realistically, the executive - rushing to legislate on a current hot issue.

People regularly carp about the fact that the Dáil is full of people with no actual expertise except in being politicians. The Seanad is supposed to balance that by providing a chamber of expertise. The restricted electorate is intended to ensure that Senators are elected by expert constituencies, and are therefore likely to be experts in an important legislative area, rather than the baby-kissing winners of geographical popularity contests. The minimal powers of the Seanad reflect the restricted democratic mandate it has compared to the Dáil.

cordially,
Scofflaw

13-09-2013 5:18pm

This is a very tough call. I don't want to see total abolition of the Seanad. I would prefer to see it reformed. We do need an upper house. A number of maybe 12 elected at the same time as the General Election, under the chairmanship of the President.
Problem is, we're only getting to option for a yes or no.

oscarBravo · 13-09-2013 5:56pm

Scofflaw wrote: »

The Seanad cannot be meaningfully elitist if it has no power.

Can it be meaninglessly elitist?

Scofflaw wrote: »

The Seanad is supposed to balance that by providing a chamber of expertise. The restricted electorate is intended to ensure that Senators are elected by expert constituencies, and are therefore likely to be experts in an important legislative area, rather than the baby-kissing winners of geographical popularity contests.

To what extent has that turned out to be the case? As in, what percentage of senators on average are experts in important legislative areas, in any given Seanad term?

Deleted User wrote: »

We do need an upper house.

Why?

Cerco · 13-09-2013 6:04pm

oscarBravo wrote: »

Can it be meaninglessly elitist?

To what extent has that turned out to be the case? As in, what percentage of senators on average are experts in important legislative areas, in any given Seanad term?

Why?

Yes, in my opinion. When an elite group are given the opportunity to draw salaries and expenses while performing no meaningful function.

In it's current form it is talking shop for wafflers many of whom are being rewarded by the Government. A retirement home for failed politicians or a half way house to those aspiring to the Dail gravy train.

Scofflaw · 13-09-2013 6:48pm

oscarBravo wrote: »

Can it be meaninglessly elitist?

I suppose so, although I'm not sure why anyone would worry about it. I see Cerco's view above, but I don't generally feel outraged on such a basis, because if I start getting outraged about people with inadequate expertise being paid I'm not sure where I'd stop, and these ones aren't at least doing any harm. I can afford the litre of milk a year they cost me, and I've probably had at least that much entertainment value out of the various Senators already this year.

oscarBravo wrote: »

To what extent has that turned out to be the case? As in, what percentage of senators on average are experts in important legislative areas, in any given Seanad term?

Heh. That one is going to be highly debatable, because one person's expert is another person's complete idiot. But you have correctly put your finger on a very weak point in the justification for the Seanad as it is, because by and large I think we can say that Senators aren't experts but simply more politicians, elected or appointed by other politicians, and acting in accordance with party interests rather than their supposed expertise.

oscarBravo wrote: »

Why?

I don't know whether we need one, but a Seanad as originally envisaged is no bad thing.

cordially,
Scofflaw

View · 13-09-2013 9:09pm

Scofflaw wrote: »

The purpose of the Seanad is to provide expert scrutiny and amendments to Dáil legislation (hence the vocational and university panels), as well as a reflective check on the Dáil - or, more realistically, the executive - rushing to legislate on a current hot issue.

People regularly carp about the fact that the Dáil is full of people with no actual expertise except in being politicians. The Seanad is supposed to balance that by providing a chamber of expertise. The restricted electorate is intended to ensure that Senators are elected by expert constituencies, and are therefore likely to be experts in an important legislative area, rather than the baby-kissing winners of geographical popularity contests. The minimal powers of the Seanad reflect the restricted democratic mandate it has compared to the Dáil.

cordially,
Scofflaw

That maybe a theoretical purpose for a Senate.

It hardly applies in practice in the case of our current Seanad though, does it?

The Free State Senate was set up so minorities were over-represented in it, thus having some chance of counter-balancing the majority represented in the Dail. It proved "awkward" for the government who promptly gutted it then abolished it and replaced it with our current Seanad specifically set-up to be "tame" thus ensuring it can't fulfil that theoretical role - as such it has always been a chamber without a real purpose in practice.

The Seanad doesn't serve a "expert" role nor does it - like the original FS Senate - serve to represent minorities nor does it even serve as a "chamber of the regions" to counter-balance our ever-increasing focus on the Dublin region (the only other useful purpose I can see for such a body).

A vote to retain it is a vote to retain it in its current form.

"Reform" isn't an option on the ballot and our governments have had less interest in reforming it than they had for legislating for abortion in the wake of the 1992 X case ruling and associated referenda. That is extremely unlikely to change and, no, the electorate won't care enough to make it an election issue.

astrofool · 13-09-2013 11:13pm

I get the feeling that most who want to retain an upper house want it reformed in such a way that the party they support will somehow gain more power out of it, not being happy with how the general election turns out, as if some reformed Seanad would not have voted for the bank bills, or austerity budgets of the last few years.

Scofflaw · 13-09-2013 11:15pm

View wrote: »

That maybe a theoretical purpose for a Senate.

It hardly applies in practice in the case of our current Seanad though, does it?

The Free State Senate was set up so minorities were over-represented in it, thus having some chance of counter-balancing the majority represented in the Dail. It proved "awkward" for the government who promptly gutted it then abolished it and replaced it with our current Seanad specifically set-up to be "tame" thus ensuring it can't fulfil that theoretical role - as such it has always been a chamber without a real purpose in practice.

The Seanad doesn't serve a "expert" role nor does it - like the original FS Senate - serve to represent minorities nor does it even serve as a "chamber of the regions" to counter-balance our ever-increasing focus on the Dublin region (the only other useful purpose I can see for such a body).

Sure.

View wrote: »

A vote to retain it is a vote to retain it in its current form.

"Reform" isn't an option on the ballot and our governments have had less interest in reforming it than they had for legislating for abortion in the wake of the 1992 X case ruling and associated referenda. That is extremely unlikely to change and, no, the electorate won't care enough to make it an election issue.

Of course reform in't an option on the ballot, because the government would prefer to make it easy on themselves. But look at it like this - either the government are responding to public pressure in holding the vote, or they aren't.

If they aren't, then there's some advantage to the government in a Yes, and my instinct is to vote No, because the advantage I would see is further centralisation of power, and I'm not pro that.

If they are, then the only way that public pressure will go away is if the public buys the rhetoric about a No being a vote for the Seanad in its current form. Since I don't know anyone who's voting for retaining the Seanad in its current form, that seems unlikely, so it seems the public pressure will remain. Again, I'd vote No on that basis.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Scofflaw · 13-09-2013 11:38pm

astrofool wrote: »

I get the feeling that most who want to retain an upper house want it reformed in such a way that the party they support will somehow gain more power out of it, not being happy with how the general election turns out, as if some reformed Seanad would not have voted for the bank bills, or austerity budgets of the last few years.

Give the only party supporting it is Fianna Fáil, that seems unlikely. It's certainly not the case for me. I'd like to see an expert upper house with no political allegiance.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Good loser · 14-09-2013 1:49am

Scofflaw wrote: »

Give the only party supporting it is Fianna Fáil, that seems unlikely. It's certainly not the case for me. I'd like to see an expert upper house with no political allegiance.

cordially,
Scofflaw

There are so many opportunities for debate now through radio, TV, internet, boards etc that the need for a formal and costly Senate in this small homogenous country does not exist. Plus the extended judicial review powers of the courts and the EU dimension. Other small countries have shown the way. Let's excise it.

Scofflaw · 14-09-2013 2:18am

Good loser wrote: »

There are so many opportunities for debate now through radio, TV, internet, boards etc that the need for a formal and costly Senate in this small homogenous country does not exist. Plus the extended judicial review powers of the courts and the EU dimension. Other small countries have shown the way. Let's excise it.

There are indeed many opportunities for debate, but what you'll find is that without authoritative fonts of debate, such debate is generally trivial. It's surprising what a difference it makes.

Cast your mind back to the period when the Troika gave press conferences. Around each one there was debate. Then the Troika stopped giving press conferences, and the debate largely dried up.

The internet discusses what's in the media, the media reports on what they've seen. When there's nothing to see, the springs of debate run thin or dry.

cordially,
Scofflaw

nesf · 14-09-2013 3:59am

Good loser wrote: »

There are so many opportunities for debate now through radio, TV, internet, boards etc that the need for a formal and costly Senate in this small homogenous country does not exist. Plus the extended judicial review powers of the courts and the EU dimension. Other small countries have shown the way. Let's excise it.

You forget one crucial aspect of the Seanad. A minority of Senators there (generally, but not always University selected) represent views of a group who could not reasonably expect to get a TD elected. I'm thinking of the likes of David Norris being elected in a time where an openly gay TD candidate would barely get his deposit back. Due to the way the NUI/Trinity voting system works you tend to get more minority voices, this is both good and bad for you because you'll get both sides of the arguments being represented.

The issue with only TDs being public representatives is that they tend to reflect only majority, or very large minority/populist, viewpoints most of the time. This is also the issue with making the Seanad open to the same vote as the Dáil. You actually want a select group doing the voting for this house, though bluntly it's not very select these days. You also want to restrict its power quite severely because of it not being open to general vote.

Of course, given that only a small minority of Senators come from the University constituencies and the majority come from professional politicians voting/choosing the point is somewhat moot.

freetoall · 14-09-2013 10:06am

I don't know is this just a ploy by the government to stand by at least one of their promises in the last election.

Grudaire · 14-09-2013 1:35pm

Scofflaw wrote: »

Give the only party supporting it is Fianna Fáil, that seems unlikely. It's certainly not the case for me. I'd like to see an expert upper house with no political allegiance.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Greens are also against the abolition as they were when this was originally proposed... Just with significantly less airtime :pac:

Days 298 · 14-09-2013 2:08pm

Cliste wrote: »

Greens are also against the abolition as they were when this was originally proposed... Just with significantly less airtime :pac:

Greens will say anything to get airtime. There website's homepage has a video begging for money to rebuild :pac: Id rather the Seanad remain and the Greens disappear for good.

Grudaire · 14-09-2013 2:21pm

Days 298 wrote: »

Id rather the Seanad remain and the Greens disappear for good.

That's not on the ballot paper, although you'll get your chance during the locals next year

Scofflaw · 14-09-2013 2:36pm

Days 298 wrote: »

Greens will say anything to get airtime. There website's homepage has a video begging for money to rebuild :pac: Id rather the Seanad remain and the Greens disappear for good.

In the long run, the only reason they'd disappear for good is the mainstreaming of environmental issues. But OT.

cordially,
Scofflaw

nesf · 14-09-2013 2:58pm

Days 298 wrote: »

Greens will say anything to get airtime. There website's homepage has a video begging for money to rebuild :pac: Id rather the Seanad remain and the Greens disappear for good.

The Greens aren't going to go anywhere, same with the Socialists and Christian Conservatives in their various forms. The party may not continue to exist but the movement isn't going to disappear within our lifetimes most likely and will continue to either have its own political group or strongly influence other ones.

astrofool · 15-09-2013 11:12am

Scofflaw wrote: »

Give the only party supporting it is Fianna Fáil, that seems unlikely. It's certainly not the case for me. I'd like to see an expert upper house with no political allegiance.

cordially,
Scofflaw

OK, maybe not you, but I think you're living in a dream world if you thought a sitting government would ever reform the Seanad in the way you suggest.

ted1 · 15-09-2013 11:20am

It's an elitist house not dissimilar to the house of lords. It serves as a retirement home for Politicians who have been deemed not suitable for public office by the people of Ireland who left them unelected.

Art students get to vote them in with total disregard for higher qualified citizens with masters and PHDs from other insistutes such as DIT.

The place has no merit in a republic or democratic state.

Grudaire · 15-09-2013 1:55pm

So abolish or reform, exactly the same arguments I hear from both sides Ted!

ted1 · 15-09-2013 1:58pm

For a reform to be effective it would have to be of the entire make up.

We would need to reform Leinster house. We as a nation are over presented. Fewer TDs, better definition and clearer breakdown between councillors and TDs. I get far to many letters in the door with both claiming responsibility for any upgrades done in the area.

Markcheese · 15-09-2013 2:20pm

Who'd notice if it wasn't there..(apart from other politicians) ...
On the too much power in the ruling party's hands thing ??? They have that already... The Taoiseach can get whatever he wants through....
Yes they debate things and they've had a few good proposals but they're few and far between...

thebman · 15-09-2013 4:01pm

There is a list of consequences here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-second_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_Bill_2013_(Ireland)#Consequential_changes

In her recent article in the Sunday Business Post Senator Zappone referred the the fact that members of the Seanad have tabled 529 amendments to 14 Bills that have been passed over the past two years. This figure was supplied by the Oireacthas Library and Research Service. Please see table of figures below. For the full Sunday Business Post article please click here

http://senatorkatherinezappone.ie/index.php/entry/list-of-amendments-made-by-the-seanad/statement/

529 amendments to 14 bills in the past 2 years seems quite significant to me though it would depend on what the amendments were obviously which it is harder to get details on.

Other than the above, abolishing the Seanad seems to put a lot more power into the dail from
http://referendum2013.ie

But given the government of the day usually has a majority in the Seanad and we have a whip system, it seems kind of pointless bringing these powers up...

aloyisious · 16-09-2013 3:53pm

There's been some mention of the Appeal Court set-up on radio that the referendum will remove some existing safeguards, so I'll have to check the Commission handbook. One of the Gov't posters is annoying me with it's misrepresentation of the facts - the savings bit on Euro 20 million if the Seanad is scrapped - when it's obvious it'll probably be kept and spent in the Oireachtas budget.

spank_inferno · 16-09-2013 4:16pm

Why is it assumed tha a 'NO' vote compels reform?

Either way there will not be a reformed Senate.

I dont see less politicians as a bad thing.
Especially ones that have no usefull role.

My "yes" vote is secure.

echo beach · 16-09-2013 7:52pm

astrofool wrote: »

I get the feeling that most who want to retain an upper house want it reformed in such a way that the party they support will somehow gain more power out of it, not being happy with how the general election turns out, as if some reformed Seanad would not have voted for the bank bills, or austerity budgets of the last few years.

I can't agree. The 'ideal' reformed Seanad might operate less along traditional party lines. In the same way as the university senators have often been independent we might see members of say the agricultural panel coming from farming organisations rather than political parties.
In this way the Seanad would comprise of a broad range of expertise. The key reform would be to hold Dail and Seanad elections at the same time so that nobody could stand for both houses, or even extend it that nobody could move from one house to the other within say five years. This would eliminate the practice that has ruined the Seanad by turning it into a nursing home for retired politicians mixed with a kindergarten for aspiring ones. The Dail is for career politicians. The Seanad should be for a wide range of citizens who have something to contribute.

The Corinthian · 17-09-2013 2:28pm

nesf wrote: »

A minority of Senators there (generally, but not always University selected) represent views of a group who could not reasonably expect to get a TD elected. I'm thinking of the likes of David Norris being elected in a time where an openly gay TD candidate would barely get his deposit back. Due to the way the NUI/Trinity voting system works you tend to get more minority voices, this is both good and bad for you because you'll get both sides of the arguments being represented.

I would have thought that back in 1987 he first got elected not because he was openly gay, but because he was literate - graduates may have more liberal back in the eighties, but that much more liberal.

Ironically, this 'advantage' of the Seanad is Fascist in origin - it's classic corporatism - which is hardly a surprise, given when it was first thought up.

Given this it's not such a bad model; after all does it really make sense to be represented on the basis of where you live? Especially in this day and age of increased renting and mobility of labour - chances are we're going to move where we live far more often than we will change career in our lifetimes, after all.

Of course the Seanad hasn't changed all that much since the 1930's and some of the panels no longer reflect our modern society, let alone who's on them or how they choose their senators. It's an outdated mess.

All before one considers what the Seanad actually does, or is empowered to do; which is not much.

So overall, my feeling is that if reformed, the Seanad does have a positive role to play in our democracy. If redesigned to better represent all sectors of society, but from a corporatist angle, it would act as second line of democracy, coming from a radically different perspective, which could act as an important sanity check for the lower house.

But it's not going to get redesigned or reformed. Apart from the sheer scale of reform that would be needed, we've been talking about doing that for decades (there's been something like a dozen serious attempts at it), and little or nothing has resulted from it.

So, rather than bite the reform bullet, we've finally decided to bite the abolition one and give up on the house. I can see the logic there too, given past history, but I also can't help but think that this would be a missed opportunity, lead to a weaker democracy in the long term and indicative of laziness.

An Coilean · 17-09-2013 3:47pm

The Corinthian wrote: »

Ironically, this 'advantage' of the Seanad is Fascist in origin - it's classic corporatism - which is hardly a surprise, given when it was first thought up.

Not really, Its structure is inspired by Vatican ideas on vocationalism, it is a far cry from fascist Italys corporatism (Then again, Fascist Italy's Corporatism was a far cry from Fascist Italy's corporatism)

Apart from the sheer scale of reform that would be needed, we've been talking about doing that for decades (there's been something like a dozen serious attempts at it), and little or nothing has resulted from it.

No there has not, there have been reports into reform which were then ignored by the Government, hardly a serious attempt.
Reforming the seanad would be quite a simple matter for a Government with the majority that this one has, there is a significant amount of reform that could be brought through by legislation, and further reform could be brought in through a referendum on Seanad Reform that would probably face as little opposition as the referendum to establish a court of appeal.

The Corinthian · 17-09-2013 4:04pm

An Coilean wrote: »

Not really, Its structure is inspired by Vatican ideas on vocationalism, it is a far cry from fascist Italys corporatism (Then again, Fascist Italy's Corporatism was a far cry from Fascist Italy's corporatism)

I wouldn't agree, but then again, it's not like there's a lot between Catholic vocationalism and Fascist corporatism, is there? Many around that time certainly didn't think so.

No there has not, there have been reports into reform which were then ignored by the Government, hardly a serious attempt.

My mistake; when I said serious attempts, I should have specified that they were serious attempts to talk about it.

Reforming the seanad would be quite a simple matter for a Government with the majority that this one has, there is a significant amount of reform that could be brought through by legislation, and further reform could be brought in through a referendum on Seanad Reform that would probably face as little opposition as the referendum to establish a court of appeal.

I don't think it would be so simple. You're talking almost a complete redesign, rather than simply reform: What panels would there be to appoint/elect senators? Who would represent those panels? How would they choose an appointee? What regulation would there be for them? How could a body be removed or added to such a panel? And that's all just off the top of my head.

Having a majority now would not be sufficient as the next government may well reverse or change such reforms - so you'd need some level of consensus for your reforms to survive the test of time. And that's before you put it to a referendum.

Real can of worms, IMHO.

raymon · 18-09-2013 8:59am

An interesting interview with Michael Martin on six one

http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2013/0917/20439322-interview-fianna-fail-leader-micheal-martin/#page=2

Brian Dobson asks Martin about his party's support for abolishing the seanad in the FF manifesto.

Martin looks weak and confused throughout trying to deny the flipflop, but Dobbs is having none of it.

He then asks about his weak leadership.

What a car crash interview.

nesf · 18-09-2013 9:20am

The Corinthian wrote: »

I would have thought that back in 1987 he first got elected not because he was openly gay, but because he was literate - graduates may have more liberal back in the eighties, but that much more liberal.

Ironically, this 'advantage' of the Seanad is Fascist in origin - it's classic corporatism - which is hardly a surprise, given when it was first thought up.

Given this it's not such a bad model; after all does it really make sense to be represented on the basis of where you live? Especially in this day and age of increased renting and mobility of labour - chances are we're going to move where we live far more often than we will change career in our lifetimes, after all.

Of course the Seanad hasn't changed all that much since the 1930's and some of the panels no longer reflect our modern society, let alone who's on them or how they choose their senators. It's an outdated mess.

All before one considers what the Seanad actually does, or is empowered to do; which is not much.

So overall, my feeling is that if reformed, the Seanad does have a positive role to play in our democracy. If redesigned to better represent all sectors of society, but from a corporatist angle, it would act as second line of democracy, coming from a radically different perspective, which could act as an important sanity check for the lower house.

But it's not going to get redesigned or reformed. Apart from the sheer scale of reform that would be needed, we've been talking about doing that for decades (there's been something like a dozen serious attempts at it), and little or nothing has resulted from it.

So, rather than bite the reform bullet, we've finally decided to bite the abolition one and give up on the house. I can see the logic there too, given past history, but I also can't help but think that this would be a missed opportunity, lead to a weaker democracy in the long term and indicative of laziness.

Broadly I agree with you. I think my point still stands though as I wasn't arguing for a continuation of the status quo.

Abolish Seanad

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