YOUNG FINE GAEL has said it will take a neutral position in the upcoming referendum on the abolition of the Seanad as its members are split on the issue.

Following a tie in a vote at the Garret FitzGerald Summer School in Kilkenny, the National Executive of the body decided that all members would be free to campaign depending on their personal views on the issue.

The motion to support the abolition of the Seanad was put forward and debated for more than an hour before a secret ballot was held.

One member told TheJournal.ie that it was important to recognise that the young people of Fine Gael “are not going along with the senior party”.

In a separate motion, YFG opposed proposals to remove History as a distinct subject in the revamped Junior Certificate.

“This motion is about offering a choice to the youth of Ireland. Irish scholars of history are world renowned and to see a generation deprived of that opportunity to learn, understand and engage with history would be detrimental to our education system, not to mention our academic standing internationally ,” regional organiser, MJ Murphy, said.

“They say we must learn from our past mistakes  and unfortunately that is very relevant in Ireland. Our future history books must reflect the difficulties that our young generation faces so that we can ensure that mistakes made in our nation’s past are not repeated in the future.”

Members of YFG in Kilkenny today.

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