Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

First sitting of the 24th Seanad in May 2011. Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Seanad

Poll shows over 50 per cent support for abolition of Seanad

Meanwhile, just under one third want it to be reformed.

A NEW MILLWARD BROWN poll for the Sunday Independent has revealed that 53 per cent of Irish people want to see the Seanad abolished.

Just seven per cent want to keep the upper house in its current format, while 30 per cent want it reformed in some way.

A referendum on the issue is expected in autumn next year.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted that the chamber is beyond saving; that getting rid of it is central to the Government’s political reform plan. Supporters of the Seanad say, though, that scrapping it won’t save much money and will mean less oversight of the lawmaking process.

The upper house of the Oireachtas, which marked its 90th anniversary earlier this month, has already survived abolition once: having been scrapped in 1936, in revenge for blocking many of Eamon de Valera’s reform plans, only to be recreated under the new Irish constitution of 1937.

VIDEO: Here are the highlights of the Dáil and Seanad in 2012

Mahon, Reilly, Savita: Game-changing political moments of 2012

Poll: Should the Seanad be saved, abolished or reformed?

Your Voice
Readers Comments
103
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.