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Seanad referendum
How much will Seanad abolition save? Quinn doesn't know, but Hayes says it's €20m
The Labour and Fine Gael ministers had different views on how much would be saved by abolishing the upper house.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxgJTlWAnNw
TWO GOVERNMENT MINISTERS have different views on how much abolishing the Seanad will save.
Education Minister Ruairí Quinn said today that he is “not entirely clear” on how much of a saving would be achieved if the referendum on abolition is passed next month.
By contrast Minister of State at the OPW, Brian Hayes, said that the Houses of the Oireachtas figure was “in the region of €20 million” and said it is a “key part of the campaign”.
Asked if Taoiseach Enda Kenny should debate Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on the abolition of the Seanad, Hayes said:
The two ministers were speaking at the launch of the Newgrange Children’s Art Competition at St Stephen’s Green in Dublin where Hayes even promised to turn on the sun:
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Oireachtas: It’s not possible to estimate how much abolishing Seanad would save
Rumble in Ranelagh: McDowell and Quinn clash over future of Seanad
Read: “I don’t want to embarrass you” – Taoiseach’s excuse for not doing TV debate with Martin
