TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has insisted that all members of the government parties will be expected to support the abolition of the Seanad when referendum on its future is held in October.

Speaking while on EU business in Latvia and Lithuania yesterday Kenny said that he expected all members of the government to support the “passing of government legislation” and said he wanted to see a strong campaign from each party on abolition.

Several members of the government parties including Labour chief whip Emmet Stagg and his party colleague Joanna Tuffy have indicated they will be calling for a No vote in the referendum.

Speaking on RTÉ News last night, Kenny said: “The decision is clear, it’s unequivocal, it’s government policy. Everybody campaigned on that and they knew that in the beginning when they signed up their pledge.”

Kenny with Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite in Vilnius, Lithuania yesterday. Pic: AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis

Meanwhile, Kenny is in Finland today where he will hold talks with the country’s president Sauli Niinisto and its Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen.

Talks on the EU’s seven-year budget the so-called multi-annual financial framework are expected to dominate. Kenny is also due to address an economic conferece – the 4th Annual Economic Ideas Forum.

Tomorrow he travels to London where he will attend the Nutrition for Growth conference at the headquarters of the consumer goods company Unilever.

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